May 8, 2014

expert reaction to the sad news of Professor Colin Pillinger’s death

Professor Colin Pillinger, who was principal investigator for the UK’s Beagle 2 Mars lander project, died aged 70.

University of Leicester Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Barstow, who is Head of the College of Science and Engineering and President-elect of the Royal Astronomical Society, said:

“I was shocked and very sad to learn of Colin’s death this morning. He was a truly larger than life character who was a tremendous advocate for planetary science in the UK. In having the vision to develop the Beagle 2 lander programme, the first UK-led probe to land on another planet, he can be credited with transforming planetary science in the UK. Although, sadly, the landing was eventually unsuccessful, its impetus left a lasting legacy from which the current excellence and high profile of planetary science at Leicester and in the UK beyond has emerged. Colin’s commitment to engagement with the public and the strong public interest generated in Beagle 2 also benefited the wider space and astronomy programme by raising its profile in Government, helping secure long term funding and a recognition of the importance of this science to the UK. I always enjoyed Colin’s stimulating company and will personally miss him. However, this is a wider, and untimely, loss to the whole of UK space science.”

Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, former President of the Royal Society, and fellow of Trinity College, University of Cambridge, said:

“Colin was one of our leading planetary scientists. He helped the Open University to become a leading research centre in planetary and space science. He studied lunar samples earlier in his career, but is of course best known for the Beagle project. This was a failure, but a ‘heroic failure’. Several far more expensive and elaborate Mars missions failed, and he deserves huge admiration for the way he cobbled together the funds for this project against all the odds, inspiring interest and enthusiasm along the way.

“He was of course a ‘character’ – an archetype ‘eccentric professor’. His sustained efforts as a communicator, both ‘live’ and on radio and TV, continued despite failing health in his later years. He was committed to space exploration, and to its broader role in science education. Most people welcomed a man who described these matters in simple language and a west-country burr – a welcome contrast to the typical NASA functionary speaking in acronyms. All space enthusiasts have reason to be grateful to him – and will miss him.”

Prof David Southwood, President of the Royal Astronomical Society, said:

“Colin was driven by science but especially the will to establish whether Mars had, has or could have sustained life. That will was expressed in enthusiasm, wit and tireless work and was infectious. He touched many lives and careers. He will be much missed.”

Professor John Womersley, Chief Executive Officer, Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC), said:

“It was with profound sadness that we learned of the death of our friend and colleague, Professor Colin Pillinger. Colin’s name is forever linked with the Beagle 2 mission to Mars – an ambitious project that, while it failed to deliver the science we were aiming for, really did raise the profile of space science in the UK, putting the exploration of Mars firmly in the public eye and raising the aspirations of the UK space science community.

“Colin was the public face of a team that accomplished a great deal in delivering a British Mars probe, against all odds. One colleague of mine has said that working with Colin at that time is much how she imagined working with Bob Geldof during Band Aid to be – ‘no’ was simply not an acceptable answer and when faced with it, Colin always found a way.

“Colin gave unstintingly of his time to talk about his work to the media and the public, sharing his passion for planetary science, no matter how early or late the hour. He embodied enthusiasm for science and leaves a legacy of greater contact between the UK media and space science community, and overall, a higher profile for one of the UK’s most exciting areas of research.

“Whilst he will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues, our thoughts and sympathies are with his wife Judith, their daughter Shusanah and son Nicolas at this sad time.”

Prof David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University said:

“If not for Colin I doubt if I would have migrated from geology to planetary science. He invited me onto the Beagle 2 team because he realised he needed a geologist to advise on the landscape and the rocks that would be seen by Beagle 2’s camera, and to contribute to discussions on how to prioritise the analysis opportunities within range of the sampling arm. He had tremendous enthusiasm and motivation, and drove the project forward in way that no one else could have done.”

Prof Andrew Coates, Professor of Physics, Head of Planetary Science Group, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, said:

“I was shocked and saddened to hear the news about Colin Pillinger this morning. It was a great experience to work with Colin on Beagle 2. Beagle 2’s legacy is the miniaturised technology, some of which is being provided for the ExoMars 2018 rover, and is still being proposed for other missions. One example is our ExoMars PanCam instrument for the 2018 rover, which includes some heritage from our Beagle 2 Stereo Camera System.

“Colin was a visionary and an inspirational leader, and had a wonderfully involving interaction with the media as well. His work with the Moon and meteorites is also legendary. He really raised our hopes of actually going to Mars in 2003 to look for past or present life – and we hope to follow up this zeal with the ExoMars rover arrival in 2019.”

Imran Khan, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, said:

“Colin Pillinger was a true ambassador for science; not only did his work capture the public’s imagination, he was incredibly warm and generous with his time, especially in inspiring younger generations of scientists to follow in his footsteps. I’m sure the thoughts of everyone who had the privilege of meeting him will be with his friends and family at this time.”