Reading the book by Professor PILLINGER " The guide to Beagle 2 " , I noticed at pages 8, 19 and 23 how Beagle 2 was clad in multilayer insulation (MLI) before disappearing into the fairing of the Soyuz launcher ...
I guess this is done for extra protection during the cruise phase ... the black insulation probably just burns off during Entry in the Martian atmosphere ?
Philip
http://mars-literature.skynetblogs.be/