NASA TV Live: Phoenix Mars Lander Arrives Today

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the successful landing of NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander, which occurred on May 25, 2008. Participants shared their excitement about the mission and discussed the implications of the lander's location in a polar region, which limits its operational lifespan due to reduced solar energy. The conversation also touched on the mission's scientific objectives, including the analysis of Martian soil and the search for signs of past life. Despite concerns about the lander's performance and potential hydrazine contamination, the mission was deemed a success, having exceeded its initial three-month operational timeline.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of NASA's Mars exploration missions
  • Familiarity with the Phoenix Mars Lander's scientific objectives
  • Knowledge of Martian polar conditions and their impact on mission duration
  • Awareness of hydrazine as a propellant and its environmental implications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the scientific findings from the Phoenix Mars Lander mission
  • Explore the implications of Martian polar conditions on future missions
  • Learn about the technology used in NASA's Mars rovers and landers
  • Investigate the role of hydrazine in spacecraft propulsion and its environmental impact
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, space mission planners, and researchers interested in planetary science and the exploration of Mars will benefit from this discussion.

  • #31
a photo of liquid water on Mars
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/498/wateronmars2gccdw4.jpg
 
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  • #32
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  • #33
Looks like Phoenix finally died!
Nasa says its Phoenix lander on the surface of Mars has gone silent and is almost certainly dead.

Engineers have not heard from the craft since Sunday 2 November when it made a brief communication with Earth.

Phoenix, which landed on the planet's northern plains in May, had been struggling in the increasing cold and dark of an advancing winter.

The US space agency says it will continue to hail the craft but does not to expect to hear from it again.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7721032.stm
 
  • #34
  • #35
LightbulbSun said:
So they will never be able to get the samples? Or did they get enough data out of it that it can't be rendered a failed mission?

I wouldn't call it a failed mission. The link gokul provides explains that the mission was only scheduled to last for 3 months, but had already run for 5 months.
 
  • #36
LightbulbSun said:
So they will never be able to get the samples? Or did they get enough data out of it that it can't be rendered a failed mission?
The samples were analyzed on Mars. The goal was not to retrieve the samples from Mars and send to earth.
 
  • #37
Astronuc said:
The samples were analyzed on Mars. The goal was not to retrieve the samples from Mars and send to earth.

So they got enough data out of it?
 
  • #38
LightbulbSun said:
So they got enough data out of it?
I'm sure they would have liked to get more.

However - Mars Phoenix Lander Finishes Successful Work on Red Planet - 11.10.08
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20081110.html

AFAIK - the rovers are still going.

Dust Storm Cuts Energy Supply of NASA Mars Rover Spirit
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/news/mer-20081110.html

and Cassini is still sending us breathtaking views of Saturn and its rings and moons.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/main/index.html
 
  • #39

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