Phoenix Mars Mission

Launched in August 2007, it will land in the northern hemisphere of Mars Sunday, May 25, 2008. Unlike a rover, it will not move around the planet but instead will analyze soil looking for signs of water, which could mean life!

The Phoenix is trying to answer three questions:

(1) Can the Martian arctic support life?
(2) What is the history of water at the landing site?
(3) How is the Martian climate affected by polar dynamics?

Comparison of Earth and Mars images and how imaging is used to search for water.

Video of air bag landings (the old way to land on Mars! This is how the rovers landed)

Video of Phoenix landing (using thrusters instead of air bags)