Phoenix Mission

Phoenix Mission

www.nasa.gov

The Phoenix spacecraft has separated from the Delta II rocket and ground controllers at NASA's Deep Space Network have acquired its signal and begun assessing its health. The solar panels that will power the mission's cruise phase will be deployed and Phoenix will be pointed to best receive solar power and communicate with Earth.

The spacecraft has oriented itself to the sun as it was programmed to do. It will use solar panels to generate electricity during the nine-month coast to Mars.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
apnews.myway.com
mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov
www.nasa.gov
www.nasa.gov

Another mission to Mars. What Earth-shattering news and pictures will be released this time around?

Will NASA release photos of the 'trees' on Mars, the 'tunnels,' Cydonia, the face, etc etc etc...

Will civilians be allowed access to multimedia or will we have to see more filtered images (ie 'red' surface).

I am very interested to hear of its findings in the polar region.

Maybe this time around we'll be told that 'global' warming isn't so global after all...But affects nearby planets as well. Call it solar system warming...

When will we hear back?

Will this be another Venus mission where the lander takes about 10 phots then 'malfunctions' because of images we aren't supposed to see?

I can only hope the public opens up more and demands involvement.




3...2...1...LIFTOFF!







Phoenix Rover



www.nasa.gov
(visit the link for the full news article)

So we are just going to Mars to find ancient life...Not to build any military bases though .

Come on NASA, lie to us. We like it!

While the rover spends time scooping soil and ice, doing necessary scientific tests, we could be terrforming Mars to suit our needs. But no, that's too advanced. Riiight.

If all goes as planned - a big if considering only five of the world's 15 attempts to land on Mars have succeeded - the spacecraft will set down on the Martian Arctic plains on May 25, 2008, and spend three months scooping up soil and ice, and analyzing the samples in minuscule ovens and mixing bowls.

The Phoenix Mars Lander won't be looking for evidence of life on Mars but rather traces of organic compounds in the baked and moistened samples, which would be a possible indicator of conditions favorable for life, either now or once upon a time.

Source from OP


Dirt Digger Rocketing Towards Mars


The Challenges of Getting to Mars


Phoenix Prelaunch Webcast


Phoenix Mars Mission



Exhaust from the rocket hangs in the air to form an image of a Phoenix bird.



[edit on 5-8-2007 by biggie smalls]

No comments?

I would have figured a mission to MARS would have generated more publicity.

My bad, carry on reading about the bird flu