NASA and its Jet Propulsion Laboratory breathed a collective sigh of relief on Friday when the Phoenix Lander was able to move its robotic arm. At first the concern was that a piece of plastic protective casing that did not fully unwrap after landing would prohibit use of the arm, but those fears proved to be unfounded.
The 7 ft arm is needed for planned drilling experiments which will dig beneath the Mars surface. It is believed that an ice layer exists a few inches below the surface in the northern plains, and the data from the Phoenix Mission experiment could show a wetter and warmer Mars in recent history. Such an environment would have been more conducive to sustaining life. With luck the drilling will start sometimes next week.
Although it is hard to tell from the photographs, the conditions at the Mars polar cap is not that inviting – Phoenix reports a temperature high of minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of minus 112. Even in those conditions the photographs from the mission are inspiring. If you are interested in more media please check out the Phoenix Mars Mission website.
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