Full-scale Mars Lander to be Unveiled at Phoenix Mission VIP Event

uanews.org...

Note to Media: Attendance at this event is by invitation-only, but news media representatives are welcome to cover the event. A public open house is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21.

Phoenix Mars Mission Principal Investigator Peter Smith will unveil a full-scale Mars lander this Friday at a VIP celebration at the Phoenix Mars Mission Science Operations Center in Tucson.

so moves it on currently there are two working rovers way beyond there planned mision dates and two orbiters which one is currently just beginning to fetch data.
and the now a new lander is going to be unveilled, this wil be a small lander but the next one wil be the biggest yet and will be as everything goes wel be nuclear powered.

What
Phoenix Mars Mission VIP Event

When
Friday, Oct. 20
6 p.m. – VIP reception
7 p.m. – Program begins
7:30-8 p.m. – Unveiling of lander

Where
Phoenix Mission Science Operations Center
1415 N. Sixth Avenue
Tucson, Ariz.

Who
Featured speakers include:
- University of Arizona President Robert Shelton
- College of Science Dean Joaquin Ruiz
- LPL Director Michael Drake
- Principal Investigator Peter Smith

Guests from NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lockheed Martin and the Canadian Space agency will be in attendance.

Remote Interviews
To schedule an interview with a Phoenix Mars Mission via satellite feed or ISDN phone line, contact Johnny Cruz at (520) 621-1879.

Related Web site
Phoenix Mars Mission

Interesting article and news, ML-

I wasn't even aware NASA had a 'scout' program.

The Phoenix mission is the first chosen for NASA's Scout program, an initiative for smaller, lower-cost, competed spacecraft

mars.jpl.nasa.gov...

They plan to aim for the Martian arctic, in search of water/ice.

I see they're using a lander from a cancelled mission, as well.(2001's Mars Surveyor lander)

Nice to see NASA making use of shelved materials, and smaller, less costly missions, IMO.

This along with the private sector, jumping into the space race, (X prize, and tourists

seats on Soyuz trips to the ISS , etc.) is encouraging news for us space junkies.