UK scientists are still trying to pick up a signal from the Beagle 2 Mars mission landing craft.
They say they are still optimistic that the mission can be successful despite the failure of a second attempt to pick up a signal.
It had been hoped that the giant Jodrell Bank radio telescope in Cheshire would pick up a faint communication signal around midnight, which would confirm that the craft had landed safely on Mars in the early hours of yesterday morning.
A similar attempt yesterday by the NASA spacecraft Mars Odyssey had also proved unsuccessful.
While conceding that Beagle 2 may have been destroyed or damaged in the landing, scientists say further efforts will be made to contact the craft.
Lead scientist Professor Colin Pillinger said the probe was programmed to make at least 14 possible transmissions via Odyssey.
The next opportunity comes shortly after 6.00pm this evening.
