Phoenix Mars Lander Deploys Robotic Arm, Possibly Finds Ice

The Phoenix Mars Lander has successfully deployed its robotic arm and tested other instruments including a laser designed to detect dust, clouds, and fog. The arm will be used to dig up samples of the Martian surface, which will be analyzed as a possible habitat for life. A camera on the arm will allow pictures to be taken of the ground directly beneath the lander. The camera has already seen what may be ice, which was exposed when the soil was disturbed by the landing. The data collected by the arm will be compared to recent findings which suggest that water on Mars may have been too salty for most known forms of life.

Comments

Re:Might have found ice?

[RobBebop]

If definitely landed and it definitely found something that it can transmit data back to Earth of. Let's be clear, this isn't a scientific discovery. It is an engineering achievement, that the thing landed safely and works as designed. And engineering achievements are worthy of being reported on.

On the other hand, ALL news stories that insinuate a conclusion that is misleading are rubbish and /. should really seek for more objective titles for their stories they put on the front page.