First-of-Its-Kind Mars Livestream by ESA Spacecraft Interrupted at Times by Rain on Earth

Mars as the Mars Express spacecraft approaches the planet from a distance of 5.5 million kilometers. European Space Agency via AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—A European spacecraft around Mars sent its first livestream from the red planet to Earth on Friday to mark the 20th anniversary of its launch, but rain in Spain interfered at times.

The European Space Agency broadcast the livestream with views courtesy of its Mars Express, launched by a Russian rocket from Kazakhstan in 2003.