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Thrilled NASA scientists received the first color pictures (left) of the Martian surface from the rover Opportunity on Monday, as engineers worked feverishly to bring its ailing twin Spirit back to health.
British scientists said meanwhile that renewed attempts over the weekend had failed to establish contact with the Beagle 2 probe, which is supposed to have landed on the Red Planet on Christmas Day but has not been heard from.
Opportunity bounced to a stop on Mars at 0505 GMT Sunday inside a small crater in an area known as the Meridiani Planum, believed to be the flattest place on the planet. Scientists declared the probe in good health Monday after an equipment check.
All of Opportunity's systems "are in perfect health" after engineers carried out the robot's "first health check" on Sunday, scientific director Steve Squyres told reporters.
NASA also released a high-definition color postcard snapped by Opportunity's panoramic camera showing dark red soil and the rim of a crater.
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