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Phoenix Mars Lander Deploys Robotic Arm, Possibly Finds Ice

Posted by Soulskill on from the armed-and-gregarious dept.

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.

6 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Could be, could not be... by lazy_nihilist · · Score: 5, Funny

    Lets wait for the test data to confirm if it is ice. For all we know it "could" be oil ;-)

    1. Re:Could be, could not be... by AmigaMMC · · Score: 5, Funny

      If that was oil the US would plan a manned mission for next year. They'd send the marines claiming that the Martians were hiding weapons of mass destruction.

    2. Re:Could be, could not be... by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

      scientist A: "Wow, that looks like frozen liquid. We found water, woohoo!"

      scientist B: "The spectrum shows it to contain strong acids and heavy metals."

      scientist A: "Yeah, we found strong acids and heavy metals on Mars!"

      scientist B: "The signature matches that of the lander battery fluid."

      scientist A: "Yay, we found leaky batteries on Mars, hurray we........oh fuck."

      --
      Table-ized A.I.
  2. The Red Planet by StaticEngine · · Score: 5, Funny

    Salty. Red. Once covered in liquid.

    It's clear to me that Mars was once a giant Bloody Mary for the gods. It's the only explanation that fits.

    I love science!

  3. Re:I only hope... by bjkinney · · Score: 5, Funny

    The lander actually has its own twitter page being written in the first person. Even it doesn't expect to last the winter. From http://twitter.com/MarsPhoenix

    "Martian winter will be tough. I don't think I will survive it, but if I wake up in Spring, I have a "Lazurus" mode and will phone home!" 10:29 PM May 26, 2008

  4. Re:I only hope... by flydude18 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It'll only get worse.

    "Ice is up to my solar panels now. So cold... so cold... Why haven't they come for me yet? They said they would. They promised. I know they will, I just need to hold out... a little... longer..."