Martian Soil Sample Clogs Phoenix Probe's Oven

What's with the salt shaker in the back of the pic with the guy with googles and clean suit?
Were they sucking down reubens and fries at the bench!

Am I mad? They were fully expecting ice and soil samples. Apparently no one expected cloddy samples. A 2mm entry way?! Now I'm flustered. Their little vibrator units are apparently way underpowered or needed a somewhat heated external surface to heat/help break it up. This has not gone well from the getgo. Orbiter hit by 'gamma rays' and taking out comm links. Not good at all.

[edit on 6/9/2008 by jpm1602]

Man...

I cant belive that these are little one shot ovens...

I guess it keeps the cost down....

But we better get some better results...


WHat we are seeing isnt very promising yet....