Mars lander has trouble getting sample in oven

July 27th, 2008

(AP) -- A sample of icy soil collected by the robotic arm of NASA's Phoenix Mars lander is apparently stuck in its scoop, foiling efforts to analyze it.

---

Content from The Associated Press expires 15 days after original publication date. For more information about The Associated Press, please visit www.ap.org .

---

Similar stories from PHYSorg:

Phoenix Mars Lander Working With Sticky Soil

Jul 29, 2008 | 4.3 / 5 (9) | 7

Phoenix Rasps Frozen Layer, Collects Sample

Jul 16, 2008 | 4.4 / 5 (19) | 6

NASA's Phoenix Lander Delivers Soil-Chemistry Sample

Jul 08, 2008 | 4.5 / 5 (17) | 0

Phoenix Mars Lander Extending Trench

Jul 15, 2008 | 3.3 / 5 (7) | 2

Sample-Collection Tests by Phoenix Lander Continue

Jul 09, 2008 | 3 / 5 (4) | 1

• zevkirsh - Jul 27, 2008
  • Current rank
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rank: 2.8 / 5 (4)
  • rate
  lets hope this will be the last robotic lander mission to mars. the next should be human or none.
  
  • flag
• deatopmg - Jul 27, 2008
  • Current rank
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rank: 2.7 / 5 (3)
  • rate
  "We believe that the material that was intended for the targeted cell is the material that adhered to the back of the scoop," Phoenix project manager Barry Goldstein, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, said in a statement.
  
  What a profound and insightful observation by the head of the program. He must be a political appointee.
  • flag
• nilbud - Jul 27, 2008
  • Current rank
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rank: 4 / 5 (1)
  • rate
  Well hopefully they'll use these lessons on all the future robotic probes. Seeing as there will only be one grandstanding visit to Mars if any in the next century. The place looks pretty barren and uninteresting.
  • flag
• Modernmystic - Jul 29, 2008
  • Current rank
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rank: not rated yet
  • rate
  *snicker*
  • flag