A problem has been detected at the European research station Mars Express, heading to Mars, RIA Novosti reports .

As reported by Rosaviakosmos, the station’s on-board computer was unable to establish communication with the Beagle 2 landing module on board and activate its control system. It is not yet clear what caused the malfunction of the interplanetary station’s computer.

On June 27, European Space Agency specialists will try again to establish communication with the control system of Beagle 2, which is scheduled to land on Mars.

Let us recall that the Mars Express research station was launched on June 2, 2003 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by the Russian Soyuz-U-FG launch vehicle and the Fregat upper stage.

Mars Express, which cost its creators 300 million euros, is expected to reach Mars in December 2003. The main task of the expedition is to search for traces or conditions of the origin of life on this planet.

When the space station enters Mars orbit, the 65-kilogram Beagle 2 interplanetary probe should descend to the surface of the planet's Northern Hemisphere. It is equipped with a heavy-duty drill and instruments for obtaining samples and analyzing soil and water. It is equipped with unique instruments capable of detecting biological waste products, such as methane, which indirectly indicate the presence of life there or its existence in the past.

On June 3, 2003, Mars Express left Earth orbit. By June 23, it had moved 6 million kilometers away.

A problem has been detected on board the Mars Express space station.