NASA begins releasing robotic arm of Mars lander

May 29, 2008 By ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN, Associated Press Writer NASA begins releasing robotic arm of Mars lander (AP)

This image provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona. shows the American flag and a mini-DVD on the Phoenix's deck, which is about 3 ft. above the Martian surface. The mini-DVD from the Planetary Society contains a message to future Martian explorers, science fiction stories and art inspired by the Red Planet, and the names of more than a quarter million earthlings. (AP Photo/ NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona)

(AP) -- Scientists began releasing the robotic arm on NASA's new Mars spacecraft on Wednesday, one day late because of a radio problem. The Phoenix lander, which arrived on Mars on Sunday, is in excellent shape, said project manager Barry Goldstein. He said the communications glitch was only a blip in the robot's three-month exploration of the planet's northern arctic region.



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  • weewilly - May 29, 2008
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    Did I read this wrong? This Martian lander cannot dig around its landing site? If that is the case I sure hope it can move someplace else to dig then because this is a very expensive shovel we sent there.

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