Beagle 3

EADS Astrium also played a part in funding and early development of the project.

Pillinger dreamed of launching up to two landing craft from an orbiter in 2009 as part of the European Space Agency's Aurora Programme.

One of the goals of Beagle 3 was to support the ESA Aurora programme if chosen.

[5] Beagle 2 was found in 2015, which overturned a previous theory that it hit thin air and collided with Mars at high speed, however it was not known for sure because it did not transmit any data during descent.

[6] However, after its discovery there was realization that the EDL must have worked as it was found on the surface with several panels deployed, even though it did not transmit.