Editing Mars Express (section)

=== First decade ===

==== 2004 ====
* January 23: ESA announced the discovery of water ice in the south polar ice cap, using data collected by the OMEGA instrument.

* January 28: ''Mars Express'' orbiter reaches final science orbit altitude around Mars.

* March 17: Orbiter detects polar ice caps that contain 85% [[carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>) ice and 15% water ice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Water_at_Martian_south_pole |title=Water at Martian South Pole |publisher=[[ESA]] |date=March 17, 2004 |access-date=March 29, 2016 }}</ref>

* March 30: A press release announces that the orbiter has detected [[Methane on Mars|methane in the Martian atmosphere]]. Although the amount is small, about 10 parts in a thousand million, it has excited scientists to question its source. Since methane is removed from the Martian atmosphere very rapidly, there must be a current source that replenishes it. Because one of the possible sources could be microbial life, it is planned to verify the reliability of these data and especially watch for difference in the concentration in various places on Mars. It is hoped that the source of this gas can be discovered by finding its location of release.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Formisano |first1=V. |last2=Atreya |first2=S. |last3=Encrenaz |first3=T. |author3-link=Thérèse Encrenaz |last4=Ignatiev |first4=N. |last5=Giuranna |first5=M. |title=Detection of Methane in the Atmosphere of Mars |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |date=2004 |volume=306 |pages=1758–1761 |doi=10.1126/science.1101732 |pmid=15514118 |issue=5702 |bibcode = 2004Sci...306.1758F |s2cid=13533388 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

* April 28: ESA announced that the deployment of the boom carrying the radar-based MARSIS antenna was delayed. It described concerns with the motion of the boom during deployment, which can cause the spacecraft to be struck by elements of it. Further investigations are planned to make sure that this will not happen.

* July 15: Scientists working with the PFS instrument announced that they tentatively discovered the spectral features of the compound [[ammonia]] in the Martian atmosphere. Just like methane discovered earlier (see above), ammonia breaks down rapidly in Mars' atmosphere and needs to be constantly replenished. This points towards the existence of active life or geological activity; two contending phenomena whose presence so far have remained undetected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Water_and_methane_maps_overlap_on_Mars_a_new_clue|title=Water and methane maps overlap on Mars: a new clue?|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=September 20, 2004|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

==== 2005 ====
* In 2005, [[ESA]] scientists reported that the OMEGA (Visible and Infrared Mineralogical Mapping Spectrometer: "Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité") instrument data indicates the presence of hydrated sulphates, silicates and various rock-forming minerals.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mustard |first1=JF |title=Olivine and Pyroxene Diversity in the Crust of Mars |journal=Science |date=2005 |volume=307 |issue=5715 |pages=1594–7 |doi=10.1126/science.1109098|pmid=15718427 |bibcode=2005Sci...307.1594M |s2cid=15548016 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bargery |first1=AS|display-authors=etal|title=NEAR-INFRARED ANALYSIS OF TEMPE TERRA, OLYMPICA FOSSAE AND NILI FOSSAE FROM OMEGA DATA |journal=Lunar and Planetary Science |date=2006 |volume=XXXVII |page=1684}}</ref>
* February 8: The delayed deployment of the MARSIS antenna, planned for early May 2005, has been given a green light by ESA.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Green_light_for_deployment_of_ESA_s_Mars_Express_radar|title=Green light for deployment of ESA's Mars Express radar|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=February 8, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

* May 5: The first boom of the MARSIS antenna was successfully deployed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4516535.stm|title=First Marsis radar boom deployed|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=May 5, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref> At first, there was no indication of any problems, but later it was discovered that one segment of the boom did not lock.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4528763.stm|title=Delay hits Mars radar deployment|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=May 9, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref> The deployment of the second boom was delayed to allow for further analysis of the problem.

* May 11: Using the [[Sun]]'s heat to expand the segments of the MARSIS antenna, the last segment locked in successfully.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/First_MARSIS_boom_successfully_deployed|title=First MARSIS boom successfully deployed|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=May 11, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

* June 14: The second boom was deployed, and on June 16 ESA announced it was a success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Smooth_deployment_for_second_MARSIS_antenna_boom|title=Smooth deployment for second MARSIS antenna boom|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=June 16, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

* June 22: ESA announces that MARSIS is fully operational and will soon begin acquiring data. This comes after the deployment of the third boom on June 17, and a successful transmission test on June 19.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Mars_Express_radar_ready_to_work|title=Mars Express radar ready to work|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=June 22, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

==== 2006 ====
* September 21: The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) has obtained images of the [[Cydonia (region of Mars)|Cydonia region]], the location of the famous "[[Cydonia Mensae|Face on Mars]]". The massif became famous in a photo taken in 1976 by the American ''Viking 1'' Orbiter. The image recorded with a ground resolution of approximately 13.7 metres per pixel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Cydonia_-_the_face_on_Mars|title=Cydonia – the face on Mars|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=September 21, 2006|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

* September 26: The ''Mars Express'' spacecraft emerged from an unusually demanding eclipse introducing a special, ultra-low-power mode nicknamed 'Sumo' – an innovative configuration aimed at saving the power necessary to ensure spacecraft survival. This mode was developed through teamwork between ESOC mission controllers, principal investigators, industry, and mission management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Mars_Express_successfully_powers_through_eclipse_season|title=Mars Express successfully powers through eclipse season|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=September 26, 2006|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

* October: In October 2006 the ''Mars Express'' spacecraft encountered a superior solar conjunction (alignment of Earth-Sun-Mars-orbiter). The angle Sun-Earth-orbiter reached a minimum on October 23 at 0.39° at a distance of 2.66 [[Astronomical unit|AU]]. Operational measures were undertaken to minimize the impact of the link degradation, since the higher density of electrons in the solar plasma heavily impacts the radio frequency signal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://issfd.org/ISSFD_2007/10-3.pdf|title=EFFECTS ON SPACECRAFT RADIOMETRIC DATA AT SUPERIOR SOLAR CONJUNCTION|last1=Morley|first1=Trevor|last2=Budnik|first2=Frank|publisher=European Space Operations Centre}}</ref>

* December: Following the loss of NASA's ''[[Mars Global Surveyor]]'' (MGS), ''Mars Express'' team was requested to perform actions in the hopes of visually identifying the American spacecraft. Based on last [[ephemeris]] of MGS provided by JPL, the on-board high definition HRSC camera swept a region of the MGS orbit. Two attempts were made to find the craft, both unsuccessful.

==== 2007 ====
[[File:Phobos over Mars' limb by HRSC.jpg|thumb|Greyscale view of [[Phobos (moon)|Phobos]] over Mars, 2007 (ESA/DLR/FU Berl|388x388px]]
* January: First agreements with NASA undertaken for the support by ''Mars Express'' on the landing of the American lander [[Phoenix (spacecraft)|''Phoenix'']] in May 2008.

* February: The small camera VMC (used only once to monitor the lander ejection) was recommissioned and first steps were taken to offer students the possibility to participate in a campaign "Command Mars Express Spacecraft and take your own picture of Mars".

* February 23: As result of the science return, the Science Program Committee (SPC) granted a mission extension until May 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/The_planetary_adventure_continues_-_Mars_Express_and_Venus_Express_operations_extended|title=The planetary adventure continues - Mars Express and Venus Express operations extended|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=February 27, 2007|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

* June 28: The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) has produced images of key tectonic features in [[Aeolis Mensae]].<ref name="aeolis">{{cite web
| title = Tectonic signatures at Aeolis Mensae
| work =ESA News
| publisher =European Space Agency
| date =June 28, 2007
| url =http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Tectonic_signatures_at_Aeolis_Mensae
| access-date =March 29, 2016}}</ref>

==== 2008 ====
* In March 2008, the ''Mars Express'' Team was the winner of the [[Sir Arthur Clarke Award]] for Best Team Achievement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sir Arthur Clarke Awards |url=https://www.bis-space.com/what-we-do/honours-and-awards/arthurs/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=The British Interplanetary Society |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* During a [[Phobos (moon)|Phobos]] flyby on 23 July 2008, ''Mars Express'' observed backscattering of [[solar wind]] protons at Phobos, a process previously reported at the Earth's [[Moon]], suggesting that it is common at airless bodies covered by [[regolith]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Futaana |first=Y. |last2=Barabash |first2=S. |last3=Holmström |first3=M. |last4=Fedorov |first4=A. |last5=Nilsson |first5=H. |last6=Lundin |first6=R. |last7=Dubinin |first7=E. |last8=Fränz |first8=M. |date=2010 |title=Backscattered solar wind protons by Phobos |url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2010JA015486 |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics |language=en |volume=115 |issue=A10 |doi=10.1029/2010JA015486 |issn=2156-2202}}</ref> The next such observation occurred in January 2016.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Futaana |first=Yoshifumi |last2=Holmström |first2=Mats |last3=Fedorov |first3=Andrey |last4=Barabash |first4=Stas |date=2021 |title=Does Phobos Reflect Solar Wind Protons? Mars Express Special Flyby Operations With and Without the Presence of Phobos |url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2021JE006969 |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets |language=en |volume=126 |issue=11 |pages=e2021JE006969 |doi=10.1029/2021JE006969 |issn=2169-9100}}</ref>

==== 2009 ====
* February 4: The ESA's Science Programme Committee has extended the operations of ''Mars Express'' until December 31, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/solar-system/44174-mars-express-venus-express-cluster-missions-extended/|title=ESA extends missions studying Mars, Venus and Earth's magnetosphere|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=February 9, 2009|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

*October 7: ESA's Science Programme Committee has approved the extension of mission operations for ''Mars Express'' until December 31, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/director-desk/45685-mission-extensions-approved-for-science-missions/|title=Mission extensions approved for science missions|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=October 7, 2009|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Orcus Patera by HRSC.jpg|thumb|[[Orcus Patera]] on Mars imaged by the [[High Resolution Stereo Camera|HRSC]] instrument aboard ''Mars Express'', 2010]]

==== 2010 ====
*March 5: Flyby of [[Phobos (moon)|Phobos]] to measure Phobos' gravity.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://spacefellowship.com/news/art18911/phobos-flyby-success.html|title=Phobos Flyby Success|work=[[Space Fellowship]]|date=March 5, 2010|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231830/http://spacefellowship.com/news/art18911/phobos-flyby-success.html|archive-date=February 21, 2014 }}</ref>

==== 2011 ====
*August 13: Safe mode following a Solid-State Mass Memory problem.<ref name="ESASCi">{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/mars-express/49549-mars-express-observations-temporarily-suspended/|title=Mars Express observations temporarily suspended|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=November 24, 2011|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

*August 23: Solid-State Mass Memory problem.<ref name="ESASCi" />

*September 23: Safe mode following a Solid-State Mass Memory problem.<ref name="ESASCi" />

*October 11: Solid-State Mass Memory problem.<ref name="ESASCi" />

*October 16: Safe mode following a Solid-State Mass Memory problem.<ref name="ESASCi" />

*November 24: Science operations are resumed using the Short Mission Timeline and Command Files instead of the Long Time Line resident on the suspect Solid-State Mass Memory.<ref name="ESASCi2">{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Mars_Express_steadily_returns_to_routine_operation|title=Mars Express steadily returns to routine operation|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=November 24, 2011|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

==== 2012 ====
* February 16: Resumes full science operations. There is still enough fuel for up to 14 additional years of operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1202/15marsexpress/|title=Mars Express back in business at the red planet|publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Stephen|last=Clark|date=February 15, 2012|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>
* In March 2012, a paper was published in [[JGR Planets|''JGR Planets'']] documenting the first detection of a faint infrared glow above the winter poles of Mars. This discovery was based on ''Mars Express''' OMEGA observations from 2004, 2005, and 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESA Science & Technology - A glow in the Martian night throws light on atmospheric circulation |url=https://sci.esa.int/web/mars-express/-/50198-a-glow-in-the-martian-night-throws-light-on-atmospheric-circulation |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=sci.esa.int |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bertaux |first1=J. L. |last2=Gondet |first2=B. |last3=Lefèvre |first3=F. |last4=Bibring |first4=J. P. |last5=Montmessin |first5=F. |date=2012 |title=First detection of O 2 1.27 μ m nightglow emission at Mars with OMEGA/MEX and comparison with general circulation model predictions |url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2011JE003890 |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets |language=en |volume=117 |issue=E11 |doi=10.1029/2011JE003890 |issn=0148-0227}}</ref>

* July: Solar corona studied with radio waves.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/mars-express/50629-radio-sounding-of-the-solar-corona-with-mars-express/|title=Radio sounding of the solar corona with Mars Express|publisher=[[ESA]]|date=July 24, 2012|access-date=March 29, 2016}}</ref>

* August 5/6: Assisted US probes ''[[Mars Odyssey]]'' and ''[[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]]'' in data collection and transfer on the [[Mars Science Laboratory]] landing.

==== 2013 ====
*''Mars Express'' produced a near-complete topographical map of Mars' surface.<ref>{{cite news | first1 = Elizabeth |last1=Gibney | title = Spectacular flyover of Mars | date = October 28, 2013 | url = http://www.nature.com/news/spectacular-flyover-of-mars-1.14041 | work = Nature News | access-date = November 17, 2013}}</ref>
*On 29 December, ''Mars Express'' performed the closest flyby to date of [[Phobos (moon)|Phobos]]