The Beagle2, the British led exploration of Mars was scheduled to land on Mars at 2.54am GMT, 25th December 2003. As yet, contact has not been made with Beagle 2.

One interesting aspect of the construction of the 75 Ilb craft is the inclusion of some famous modern art. Upon landing the instruments would need to be calibrated and tuned to a colour chart. What better colour chart to send to Mars than a Damien Hirst spot painting "Argininosuccinic Acid". It has all the necessary ingredients, a selection of colours and can be made small and compact. And it allows the project to include an element of art without in any way unnecessarily using up any of the mass and power budget of the spacecraft, parameters which cannot be exceeded. The 'spot painting' was made from aluminium, measures less than 8 x 8 cm and weighs only 26.5g.

Although contact has not yet been made the craft did make it to the surface and thus makes "Argininosuccinic Acid" the first art from Earth on another planet. The question is what will Jark's friends think of it?

Damien Hirst
Beagle2