Mars Express, launched by the European Space Agency on June 2, 2003, has been a significant contributor to our understanding of Mars for nearly two decades. Initially designed for a shorter mission, it successfully entered Martian orbit on December 25, 2003, and has since provided invaluable insights into the planet’s geology, climate, and potential for life. Notably, Mars Express has detected water ice on and beneath the surface, reshaping our understanding of the planet, and its findings fuel curiosity about the possibility of past or present microbial life.
Despite facing numerous technical challenges, the mission’s operations team has creatively adapted to extend its lifespan, which is now five times longer than intended. Key moments include overcoming power limitations and data storage issues, as well as navigating close encounters with celestial bodies like comet Siding Spring. Mars Express has also assisted other missions, including NASA’s Phoenix and Curiosity rover missions, and continues to operate until at least 2026. As it persists in uncovering Martian secrets, Mars Express not only informs future explorations but also offers insights that could impact our understanding of Earth’s future.
