Landing the probe Phoenix

2008/06/05 Lakar Iraizoz, Oihane - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Astronomia

The Phoenix probe reached the surface of Mars on May 25. To see the landing closely, the orbits of the three satellites that revolve around Mars were modified so that they were in that area at the time Phoenix would arrive. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft carried out the photos next to it. At that time Phoenix was about ten kilometers from the surface and still had the parachute open (in the small photo the probe is hung from the parachute). Phoenix now has several obligations, including determining whether or not there was life on Mars, describing the climate of Mars, and studying the geology of the planet.

Photo: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona