http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=44174

ESA extends missions studying Mars, Venus and Earth's magnetosphere
European Space Agency
09 Feb 2009

ESA's Science Programme Committee has extended the operations of ESA's
Mars Express, Venus Express and Cluster missions until 31 December
2009.
The decision to extend the three successful missions was taken on 4
February this year.

Mars Express -- global view of the Red Planet

Mars Express, launched in June 2003, has been orbiting the Red Planet
since the end of 2003, and has produced a treasure of discoveries.

The first European mission to Mars, it has taken breathtaking,
high-resolution images of the surface in 3D and in colour. The
spacecraft carries the first radar instrument ever flown to Mars which
has returned pioneering sub-surface sounding measurements that show
underground water-ice deposits.

Mars Express has provided the first sub-surface sounding measurements
thanks to the first radar instrument ever flown to Mars, and
discovered
underground water-ice deposits.

It has beamed back mineralogical evidence for the presence of liquid
water throughout Martian history and studied the density of the
Martian
crust in detail. It was also the first spacecraft to detect methane in
the planet's atmosphere from orbit.

The spacecraft pioneered the detection of aurorae at mid latitudes,
provided estimates on the rate at which Mars' atmosphere escapes into
space, and studied the Martian moon Phobos at close quarters.

The mission has been extended twice in the past, the second extension
lasting until May 2009. This third extension will make it possible to
continue with the mission's extensive study of the Red Planet which
includes, amongst others: the study of its subsurface, the observation
of the upper atmospheric layers under varying solar conditions,
observation of methane in the atmosphere, and high resolution mapping
of
its surface.

Venus Express -- lifting the veil on Venus

Venus Express was launched in November 2005 and reached Venus in April
2006, initiating the most comprehensive investigation of Earth's
sister
planet to date. Its mission was extended once to last until May 2009.

Since it reached Venus in April 2006, Venus Express has been mapping
Venus's noxious and thick atmosphere globally and in 3D for the first
time. With the data, scientists have put together the first extensive
meteorological maps of Venus, providing measurements of wind fields
and
temperatures and the chemical composition of the atmosphere.

The spacecraft has revealed astonishing details of the planet's
dynamic
cloud system, including its striking double-eyed atmospheric vortex
that
dominates the south pole.

Venus Express has also detected water molecules escaping into space,
found concrete evidence for lightning in the venusian atmosphere, and
provided infrared glimpses of the hot surface.

The new extension will provide, among other objectives, an improved
understanding of how Venus' climate works, and scientists will
continue
the search for suspected active volcanism on the surface.

Cluster -- the Sun-Earth connection in focus

The Cluster constellation was launched in summer 2000 and started
operating in early 2001. Since then, this four-satellite mission is
performing the first and best ever stereo investigation of the Earthâs
magnetosphere â the magnetic bubble surrounding our planet.

Thanks to Cluster, scientists have reached an unprecedented
understanding of the way solar activity affects the near-Earth
environment.

Cluster has provided the first 3D observation of magnetic reconnection
in space â a phenomenon that reconfigures the magnetic field and
releases high amounts of energy.

Cluster pioneered measurements of electric currents in space, revealed
the nature of black aurorae, and discovered that plasma - a gas of
charged particles surrounding Earth - makes 'waves'.

The Cluster mission has been extended twice in the past, up to June
2009. The new extension will make it possible to study the auroral
regions above Earth's poles and widen the investigations of the
magnetosphere - its inner region in particular.

For more information
Fabio Favata
ESA - Head of Science Planning and Community Coordination office
email: Fabio.favataesa.int
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