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Scientists struggling to contact the UK¡¯s Mars probe were this week assured of life after Beagle 2 by a government commitment to future exploration of the solar system.

Lord Sainsbury, the science minister, called for a Beagle 3 mission, through the European Space Agency¡¯s ambitious Aurora programme, whether the lost lander ultimately calls home or not. He added that it would be a mistake not to continue supporting such high-risk projects.

As The THES went to press, experts had failed to make contact with Beagle 2 since it reached the surface of the red planet on Christmas day.

Lord Sainsbury¡¯s declaration took some of the sting out of a difficult week for the team of scientists and engineers from Leicester and the Open universities and 100 other UK institutions.

The scientists are now pinning their hopes on Esa¡¯s Mars Express spacecraft, which will sweep over the Beagle 2 landing site four times between January 6 and 17.

¡°While we¡¯re disappointed that things have not gone according to plan, we are determined that the search should go on, both to make contact with Beagle 2 and to answer the long-term question about whether there is life on Mars,¡± Lord Sainsbury said.

Mark Barstow, professor of astrophysics and space science at Leicester University, said Lord Sainsbury¡¯s timely announcement of support for Aurora, which could culminate with a manned mission to Mars in 2033, was especially welcome.

¡°After all the effort involved in getting Beagle 2 to Mars, it would be a waste if we didn¡¯t keep up the momentum,¡± he said.