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A plaque honouring Colin Pillinger, the scientist credited with developing the Beagle 2 Mars probe, was unveiled at M Shed in Bristol on 5 October 2026. It is displayed in the museum’s People Gallery. Pillinger’s sister, Doreen Lindegaard, and daughter, Shusanah Pillinger, unveiled it.
Where is the Colin Pillinger plaque?
The plaque is in the People Gallery at M Shed, Bristol. It was unveiled on Monday, 5 October 2026, to recognise Pillinger’s contribution to the city and his work with the Beagle 2 team. The report does not establish the plaque’s exact wording or current visitor-access arrangements.
Who was Colin Pillinger?
Professor Colin Pillinger was the scientist credited with developing Beagle 2. Born in Bristol, he grew up in Kingswood and died in 2014. Chris Lee, a former UK Space Agency chief scientist who worked with Pillinger on the mission, described him as “exceptional” and said, “He managed to get everybody excited about space exploration.”
Did Beagle 2 land on Mars?
Yes. Beagle 2 landed on Mars on Christmas Day 2003, but it did not make contact with Earth afterward. Images released in 2016 showed that the spacecraft had landed successfully rather than crash-landed. The landing succeeded; the planned communications and subsequent mission operations did not.
#1 Best Overall
- Highly Detailed: Meticulously crafted 1:60 scale model of the historic HMS BEAGLE
- Authentic Materials: Constructed from high-quality wood and die-cast metal to create a beautiful display model.
- Intricate Design: Features intricate details like rigging, sails, ladders, cannons and deck elements.
- Adult Assembly Required: Engaging project for hobbyists and model enthusiasts, this is Medium difficulty build, model ship build required
- Impressive Scale; dimensions 28.4" inches long x 18.9 " tall X 9 " wide when fully assembled.
The BBC-attributed report describes Beagle 2 as the first British and European spacecraft to land on another planet. That description should not be taken as a broader claim about every European spacecraft or planetary landing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why is Beagle 2’s legacy being commemorated?
The plaque recognises Pillinger’s role in the mission and its place in the history of UK planetary exploration. Beagle 2 mission manager Professor Mark Sims said the project “started the UK down the line of being able to do planetary missions and knowing it could engineer them.”
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- Detailed Scale Modelling Kit
- HMS Beagle kit
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The report also says 12 other plaques had been announced earlier in 2026 for sites connected with the historic landing. It does not provide a complete list or confirm that all 12 have been installed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- INCLUDES: 1 Model Kit
- 1:72 Scale - Approximately A 7" Wingspan
- Highly Detailed Plastic Parts
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- Painting & Gluing Required (Not Included)
Rank #4
- Assembly Required
- Skill Level 2
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Rank #3
- Highly Detailed: Meticulously crafted 1:60 scale model of the historic HMS BEAGLE
- Authentic Materials: Constructed from high-quality wood and die-cast metal to create a beautiful display model.
- Intricate Design: Features intricate details like rigging, sails, ladders, cannons and deck elements.
- Adult Assembly Required: Engaging project for hobbyists and model enthusiasts, this is Medium difficulty build, model ship build required
- Impressive Scale; dimensions 28.4" inches long x 18.9 " tall X 9 " wide when fully assembled.
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