THE HAMPSHIRE company behind key technology in the ill-fated British mission to Mars says it is proud of the project and would jump at the chance to get involved again.

Roke Manor Research's enthusiasm for space ventures was left undimmed by a critical report from investigators, which included experts from NASA and the Russian space agency.

The report, which is being kept under wraps, is understood to blame unexpected atmospheric conditions for the project's failure, but singles out no individual, company or component for criticism.

Most space missions take a decade to plan but Beagle 2 was cleared to fly just two and a half years before its launch.

Romsey based Roke Manor Research, pictured left, which employs 431 people, was a 'small but important part' of the European Space Agency bid to seek out life on the red planet.

Beagle 2 landed on Mars on Christmas Day but no signal from the surface was ever received from the cut-price space exploration bid. The craft was given up as lost in February.

Roke Manor provided a radar altimeter trigger for the Marslander to ensure that the gas-filled bags on Beagle 2 were inflated at the correct altitude, thus cushioning its arrival on the planet's surface.

The Siemens-owned company, in Old Salisbury Lane, spent nine months working on the project and simulated the descent from the Mars Express orbiter using a helicopter over the New Forest.

Engineer Jason Hall, pictured above, avionics skill group manager, who led the development of Roke Manor's Beagle technology, said the project's failure was not disheartening.

"Disappointment is not the word. We had been looking forward to it and it is a real shame; everyone put so much work into it. But it just makes everyone want to go again. We would definitely like to be included in another attempt. We are proud to be involved."

Mr Hall said the mission, which had £22.5m of public money, was far from being a waste of time.

"We have learnt an incredible amount and it has put the UK in a very strong position for future work in this area," he said.