GSC Update:

*Mars has been flooded with a recent flurry of activity, peaking with the arrival (sort of) of five new spaceraft-

Spirit and Opportunity, two American landers, have been sent in on a mission similar to the highly famed and highly successful "Pathfinder/Sojurner" mission. Spirit has landed, and the stunning photos from Gusev Crater are more detailed than any previous picture from the Red Planet.

The Mars Express Orbiter, from the European Space Agency (ESA), is to carry out a 4 year, high-orbit study of Mars's atmosphere, surface, and weather. The Orbiter arrived safely in orbit and initial data is promising.

Nozomi, the failed Japanese probe, was lost en route (milestone- was Japan's first interplanetary spacecraft). Translated as "Hope," the craft was to study Mars's magnetic fields from an orbit of 550 miles.

and finally, The Beagle-2 (after Darwin's sailing vessel), also from the ESA, is a small rover carried aboard the Mars Express. Unfortunately, the rover was lost after touchdown and scientists in the U.S., Australia, Great Britan, and other countries are searching for it's faint radio signals before they abandon the vehicle.