Beagle 2 Mars probe was 'excruciatingly close' to success, new research reveals

Lander was feared lost for more than a decade after failing to make contact, but new analysis reveals it managed to unfurl three of its four solar panels

The broken-down Mars lander Beagle 2 came "excruciatingly close" to success scientists say, after new research has revealed that it managed to unfurl at least three of its four solar panels before giving up the ghost.

"It turns out we didn't make that many mistakes," said former Beagle 2 mission manager Mark Sims, currently professor of astrobiology and space science at the University of Leicester.