Mars Express: Genesis and Infancy

Space Science Reviews 2026 Open access

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Authors: J.-P. Bibring, J.-L. Bertaux, R. Bonnet, Richard Bonneville, O. Korablev, Y. Langevin, L. Frécon, Vincent Poinsignon, R. Schmidt
DOI: 10.1007/s11214-026-01278-7
Cited by: 1
References: 16

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes the flow of events which led ESA to select this Mars Express mission for a launch in 2003, following the failure of the Russian Mars 96 in 1996. The unique genesis of Mars Express is reflected in its system design, the payload selected, and the operation strategy. Although a low cost “F-mission”, Mars Express achieved unprecedented objectives, with in particular coupled analyses of all Mars envelopes, from its exosphere, high and low atmosphere, to the surface and subsurface characterization. For ESA, Mars Express constitutes the first ever Mars mission, on which the Agency, the European space industry and the science community built its level of excellence, opening wide cooperative partnerships.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Planetary Science and Exploration Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies Space exploration and regulation

Publication details

Journal / source
Space Science Reviews
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
222
Issue
2
Publication date
19 February 2026
Language
EN