re: You back pedaling coward! Space .com article called the Mars Society Liars!
Space.com article by Leonard David says Mars Society misrepresented itself by claiming false endorsement for the Beagle 2 microscope. Dr. Colin Pillinger says it is not true. Here is the proof:
http://www.space.com/searchforlife/mars_microscope_000817.html
Uncertain Sponsorship for Mars-Bound, Life-Seeking Microscope
"While the microscope is on the Beagle 2's manifest of science instruments, the Mars Society's claim of sponsorship of the device is incorrect, said a top official of the Beagle 2 project."
"This deal certainly does not exist," said Colin Pillinger, lead scientist for the Beagle 2 effort, and professor of planetary sciences research at the Open University, located in Milton Keynes, the United Kingdom.