Mars: Fly around Flaugergues Crater—Animation | Europe's Mars Express Orbiter
The European Space Agency's Mars Express takes us on a journey across the southern highlands of Mars to Flaugergues Crater. The video begins by tracking along a swathe of ground enclosed by two steeply sloping and roughly parallel cliffs—or escarpments—named Scylla Scopulus and Charybdis Scopulus (to the left and right, respectively). This 'path' of ground is called a graben, created as tectonic plates pulled apart. It measures about 75 km wide by 1 km deep.
The prominent, 150-km-wide Bakhuysen Crater can be seen to the left.
The camera continues travelling northwards, approaching Flaugergues Crater in the distance. It moves along the crater’s eastern side before circling around to the left and ending at its western rim.
Flaugergues Crater is a roughly 240-km-wide basin found in Mars’ southern highlands, where most of the rough terrain is densely covered in craters. Half of the crater floor is also rugged, with parts rising up to elevations of around 1 kilometer. We see a valley crossing this rocky patch that was likely shaped by flows of wind and lava.
Enjoy the flight, and be sure to view the associated map of the area. It shows the route taken by the camera and highlights the key features seen throughout the journey. These features are also indicated in the voiceover.
Flaugergues Crater's Coordinates on Mars: 17.0°S 340.8°W
Duration: 2 minutes
Release Date: Feb. 4, 2026
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