Written question asked by Cheryl Gillan (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 18 July 1997. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Friday, 18 July 1997 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: What role the United Kingdom will play in the proposed ESA Mars Express mission; and what assessment she has made of the contribution of United Kingdom scientists to Mars science.

Answer: Mrs. Gillan: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role the United Kingdom will play in the proposed ESA Mars Express mission; and what assessment she has made of the contribution of United Kingdom scientists to Mars science. [9436] Mr. Battle: The precise nature of the Mars Express mission and the roles of ESA members states within it are still under discussion. UK space science generally is world-class, as shown by the success of British scientists in international competition. No specific assessment has been made of their contribution to Mars science but UK scientists have built instruments for the NASA Mars Global Surveyor, due to reach Mars in September, and have collaborated with NASA in the study of Martian materials transported to Earth in meteorites.

Secondary information