Scientist Colin Pillinger dead at 70

Famed British scientist Colin Pillinger has died at the age of 70. The planetary expert made headlines around the world in 2003 with his ‘Beagle 2’ mission to Mars when he tried to land a spacecraft on the Red Planet.
Professor Pillinger, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 62, died on Wednesday (07May14) at a hospital in Cambridge, England after suffering a brain haemorrhage and falling into a coma.
His family has issued a statement describing his death as “devastating and unbelievable”.
Prof. Pillinger had worked for NASA analysing samples from the moon, but his biggest project was his failed Beagle 2 mission, which was launched as part of the European Space Agency’s Mars Express venture.
However, the scientist has still managed to leave his mark on outer space – main belt asteroid 15614 Pillinger, discovered in 2000, was named in honour of his work.