NASA begins releasing robotic arm of Mars lander

May 29th, 2008 in Space & Earth / Space Exploration
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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