From Monitoring Camera to Mars Webcam - Producing Outreach from Ops

The European Space Agency mission Mars Express has been in orbit around Mars since December 2003. The mission comprised two spacecraft – the Mars Express orbiter and the Beagle 2 lander. Shortly prior to Mars orbit insertion the orbiter released the lander on a descent trajectory to the Martian surface. In order to verify the correct separation and trajectory of the lander a basic monitoring camera was installed on the orbiter to image the retreating lander, and verify its correct release, spin-rate and coarse trajectory. This technological demonstration was the last and only use of this camera prior to 2007. Usage for science was not considered, given the advanced and highly capable instruments on board the Mars Express orbiter.