Life on Mars?

The Phoenix Mars Lander is scheduled to depart for Mars in August 2007 and land on the planet in May of 2008. Great care has been taken to prepare the craft for departure as it has already 2 unsuccessful missions. The ship was made to be broader for a better landing surface, and new probes were developed to increase in efficiency and productivity. Other safety features have been added to ensure a safe landing and successful excursion such as better thrusters and a parachute to aid in landing. Scientists are being very positive about this trip.

The purpose of landing on Mars will be to determine if this longtime mysterious planet could withhold any life. Scientists will scoop up of the ice, muddy soil with a large robotic arm and will be brought back for analysis. A large trench will be dug in hopes of finding a sample of water ice near the surface. This will help determine the make-up of the soil and water and in essence find a habitable area on Mars, if there is. “It is unlikely that a single trench in the vast northern plains will find evidence for biological communities even if they exist there,” Smith noted in a research paper issued at LPSC. “Our goal is to determine whether conditions favor their preservation.”

The only major concern for this mission is the landing surface. They are unsure of the rock formations that are there. They only have a 14 inch clearance from the belly of the craft and if there is a sharp rock jutting out there could be some serious problems.

The Phoenix Mars Lander is scheduled to depart for Mars in August 2007 and land on the planet in May of 2008. Great care has been taken to prepare the craft for departure as it has already 2 unsuccessful missions. The ship was made to be broader for a better landing surface, and new probes were developed to increase in efficiency and productivity. Other safety features have been added to ensure a safe landing and successful excursion such as better thrusters and a parachute to aid in landing. Scientists are being very positive about this trip.

The purpose of landing on Mars will be to determine if this longtime mysterious planet could withhold any life. Scientists will scoop up of the ice, muddy soil with a large robotic arm and will be brought back for analysis. A large trench will be dug in hopes of finding a sample of water ice near the surface. This will help determine the make-up of the soil and water and in essence find a habitable area on Mars, if there is. “It is unlikely that a single trench in the vast northern plains will find evidence for biological communities even if they exist there,” Smith noted in a research paper issued at LPSC. “Our goal is to determine whether conditions favor their preservation.”

The only major concern for this mission is the landing surface. They are unsure of the rock formations that are there. They only have a 14 inch clearance from the belly of the craft and if there is a sharp rock jutting out there could be some serious problems.