Phoenix Mars Lander Updates

spandex_panda writes "There are a few pictures of the Mars Lander on the ground — you can see its parachute and its heat shield a few kilometers away, too. There's a very cool looking picture of it floating down, actually captured while it's in the air with its parachute out!" We also have a YouTube video all about the robot arm that will dig down and probably find a groundhog who we all hope will see his shadow.

Comments

First Mars Blooper Released by NASA

[sysusr]

First Mars blooper released by NASA

Re:First Mars Blooper Released by NASA

[deroby]

Hmm, and in 50 odd years when we find a cheap and convenient way to get there, will we be greeted by the locals with "g'day mate" ?

Re:so let me ask the question

[Anonymous Coward]

no digging allowed here. this is slashdot.

Re:This might be a dumb question...

[Drive42]

NASA does a lot just for show. Do you think those rockets need to produce all that fire and noise? Hell, those rockets could be the size of a large car and they'd still work. %90 of them are just styrofoam and cardboard. Remember, It's all for the benefit of the taxpayer. In fact, five years ago, NASA took a poll of what people wanted to see come out of the space program. Number one on the list? "A tiny stationary drilling labratory on the surface of mars. Preferably with a colorful parachute and a snazzy name."

When will the government care about science?!

Re:so let me ask the question

[fizzup]

-------->   Joke
   O
  -+-       You
   |
  / \

Re:so let me ask the question

[Cesa]

Now, be sure to return next week (especially those semi-sentient programs out there) to tackle the more difficult topic of sarcasm. Ah yes, good luck with that. I am sure you will be very successful.

Re:This might be a dumb question...

[MightyYar]

why in the world do we have a parachute on the lander? While Mars has no atmosphere, the parachute "catches" exhaust gases from the thrusters on the front of the lander, amplifying their effect. You can observe the exact same effect by standing in a still sailboat and blowing at the sail. This is used to great effect in Loony Tunes cartoons.