Posted by tourdemars to Mars Express at January 11, 2002 12:00 PM

Aarhus University is set to play a central role in plans by the European space agency, ESA, to launch its first mission to the surface of Mars in 2003. The university is behind a project to develop equipment used on the Mars Express expedition and has now opened its new Mars laboratory, where it will carry out testing of the equipment needed for the mission to the red planet. One of the first pieces of equipment to undergo research was ‘Beagle 2’, the landing module which will probe the surface of the planet. Tests in Aarhus are carried out in a wind tunnel, where fine dust grains are added to the air. The scientists will be able to determine how the dust storms on the planet influence the solar panels that produce power for the module.