The Beagle 2space probe was launched on its final approach to Mars today in what is a critical step in Europe's first mission to explore the surface of the Red Planet.
The British-built probe is scheduled to land on Mars' surface on Christmas morning.
Officials in Darmstadt, Germany, said the space craft appeared to have successfully separated from the Mars Express mother ship at 10.40 a.m. to begin its final descent to the red planet.
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The mission is the first to try to determine if there is life on Mars since the United States sent the Viking Ilanding craft to Mars' surface in 1976.
"It's not looking for little green men, but it is looking for matter that might provide evidence of life. It is looking for clues," said Mr David Southwood, the European Space Agency's director of Science.
The probe's launch is the first in a series of critical navigational manoeuvres. The probe is gently pushed away from the spacecraft and begins spinning to keep it stable as it heads toward Mars.
When the probe reaches the surface of Mars, mission engineers plan to position the Mars Expresscraft to fire its main engine for about 30 minutes, sending it into Martian orbit.
Should today's attempt to launch the lander fail, it will disrupt the timing of efforts to put Mars Expressinto orbit, and possibly ruin the mission, project manager Mr Rudolf Schmidt said.
AP