08/05/2014

Mars Mission Scientist Colin Pillinger Dies

Planetary scientist Professor Colin Pillinger, who was the head leader of the Britain's Mars lander Beagle 2, has died at Addenbrooke's Hospital aged 70. He suffered a brain haemorrhage and fell into a deep coma at his Cambridge home.

In a statement his family said Pillinger's death was "devastating and unbelievable".

The scientist, was best known for his involvement in the Beagle 2 project, built to probe the search for Martian life which was the first time an individual researcher sent their own vessel into space.

Despite the spacecraft vanishing without trace, Professor Pillinger carried on dwelling on space agencies to complete his "unfinished business on Mars".

He was awarded with a CBE in 2003.

(CVS/CD)

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