|
The first images back from the Phoenix spacecraft that landed successfully on Mars show that the terrain is perfect for its mission of finding evidence that the Red Planet was once hospitable to life. The Phoenix, which is now an observation post and science laboratory, landed just four miles from the final predicted target and well within the planned study area that lies a few miles from the crater Heimdall. The Phoenix is equipped to dig into soil and ice and the landing site, which is devoid of boulders or large rocks but contains plenty of bare soil and small pebbles, is a 'prime digging area,' according to Peter Smith, the project's chief scientist. A radio failure most likely caused by high-speed cosmic rays interfering with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which was supposed to relay instructions from Earth to the Phoenix, will delay the Phoenix's initial tasks, but the interference should pass in a day or two. Digging was not scheduled to begin until the Phoenix's robotic arm could be thoroughly checked and tested anyway. Everything seems to be in perfect working order including its solar panels, weather station, electronic instruments, and mast-mounted camera. The mission is funded for 90 sols, which is precisely 39 minutes and 35 seconds longer than an Earth day. That gives the Phoenix about three months to perform a lot of science.
|
Information Sources, Inc.
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}