Colin Pillinger dies aged 70

Source: Mike Peel

Colin Pillinger, founder of 바카라사이트 Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute at 바카라사이트 Open University, fell into a coma after suffering a brain haemorrhage in his Cambridge home. He did not regain consciousness and later died at Addenbrooke��s Hospital.

Professor Pillinger built a probe to look for life on Mars, but it was lost after being launched from 바카라사이트 European Space Agency��s Mars Express orbiter in December 2003. The lander was named Beagle 2 after 바카라사이트 ship used by Charles Darwin, HMS Beagle.

He was also involved in 바카라사이트 Apollo programme and 바카라사이트 ESA��s Rosetta mission. In 2004 바카라사이트 International Astronomical Union named an asteroid after him in recognition of his contribution to planetary science. In 2003 he was awarded CBE.

He also contributed several articles to 온라인 바카라, including a piece in 2011 to mark 바카라사이트 50^th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin��s first manned space flight.

Professor Pillinger gained a PhD from 바카라사이트 University of Swansea before becoming a research fellow at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge. He later moved to 바카라사이트 department of physical sciences at 바카라사이트 Open University where he became a professor of interplanetary science in 1991.

One of 바카라사이트 scientists who worked with Professor Pillinger on 바카라사이트 Beagle 2 mission called him a ��visionary�� and ��an inspirational leader��.

Andrew Coates, professor of physics and head of 바카라사이트 planetary science group at 바카라사이트 Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, added: ��I was shocked and saddened to hear 바카라사이트 news. It was a great experience to work with Colin on Beagle 2.

��Colin was a visionary and an inspirational leader, and had a wonderfully involving interaction with 바카라사이트 media as well. His work with 바카라사이트 Moon and meteorites is also legendary.��?

Monica Grady, professor in planetary sciences at 바카라사이트 Open University, who worked with him for 35 years, said: ��He was my PhD supervisor, and one of 바카라사이트 most influential figures in my life, both academically and as a friend.

��We collaborated on a great variety of projects, and were talking about new things to work on when I saw him last week. I will miss him, as I��m sure that many o바카라사이트rs will as well.��

Martin Bean, 바카라사이트 Open University��s vice-chancellor, said: ��Professor Pillinger was not only an inspiration to us here at 바카라사이트 OU, but to people across 바카라사이트 world with his infectious enthusiasm for science and discovery.

��I have no doubt that Colin��s legacy will be to inspire and stimulate study in this field for many decades to come.��

holly.else@tsleducation.com