Let's make this birthday one to remember.

82 years old (Born on May 09, 1943)

Happy Birthday, Colin Pillinger! Hope your special day is astronomical—although we promise it'll be easier to detect than the Beagle 2 landing. Your tireless optimism and brilliant dedication have inspired countless individuals to reach for the stars (and with better luck at interplanetary landings!).

From pioneering work at the Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute to boldly pushing boundaries of exploration, you've shown us that setbacks never dim a true scientist's enthusiasm or curiosity. Here's wishing you another year achieving great heights—with results more instantly recognizable than recent Mars missions! Cheers, Dr. Pillinger; may your birthday celebration successfully touchdown without incident!