NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Lands on Mars

NASA's Phoenix spacecraft has landed safely on Mars, following a ten-month flight. Phoenix was launched atop a Delta II rocket last August. It is the first Mars Scout spacecraft to be sent to explore Mars. It will search for water and complex molecules at the North Pole of Mars. Phoenix is expected to operate on the surface of Mars for 90 Martian days, about 92 Earth days.

Phoenix's goal is to gather environmental information about Mars to search for possible locations for the best signs of microbial life in the soil. It will also research the history of water on Mars. The spacecraft landed in an area near the North Pole of Mars, named the Green Valley. It is an area about 250 kilometres wide, located in the Vastitas Borealis plains. It is the 12th spacecraft to attempt a landing on Mars, and the 7th to successfully accomplish this.

27 / 05 / 2008