The European Space Agency‘s (ESA) Mars Express satellite, an Astra 2C, is scheduled to be launched on June 2 at 19:45 CEST by a Soyuz launcher from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Starsem, a European-Russian joint venture, will provide the launch services. The six-month mission is scheduled to reach Mars in December. Scientists hope this mission allows them to learn more about the Martian landscape, atmosphere and the origin of life. This marks the first European mission to Mars.