Pasadena CA (SPX) Oct 30, 2008 - NASA'S Phoenix Mars Lander entered safe mode late yesterday in response to a low-power fault brought on by deteriorating weather conditions. While engineers anticipated that a fault could occur due to the diminishing power supply, the lander also unexpectedly switched to the B side of its redundant electronics and shut down one of its two batteries.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has observed a new category of minerals spread across large regions of Mars.
Pasadena CA (SPX) Oct 29, 2008 - In a race against time and the elements, engineers with NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander mission hope to extend the lander's survival by gradually shutting down some of its instruments and heaters, starting today.
Paris (AFP) Oct 23, 2008 - The first astronauts sent to Mars should be prepared to spend the rest of their lives there, in the same way that European pioneers headed to America knowing they would not return home, says moonwalker Buzz Aldrin.
Pasadena CA (SPX) Oct 23, 2008 - NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has finished scooping soil samples to deliver to its onboard laboratories, and is now preparing to analyze samples already obtained. Scientists are anxious to analyze the samples as the power Phoenix generates continues to drop. The amount of sunlight is waning on Mars' northern plains as late-summer turns to fall.
Idaho Falls, Idaho (UPI) Oct 21, 2008 - U.S. government scientists say they've developed technology that enables a laser to detect minuscule traces of cells in a mineral likely present on Mars.
An odd, solitary hill rising part-way down an eroding slope in Mars' north polar layered terrain may be the remnant of a buried impact crater, suggests a…
Moffett Field CA (SPX) Oct 20, 2008 - Scientists have detected minuscule traces of cells in a mineral on Earth that has also been detected on Mars. The results, obtained using a technique developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory, could help mission scientists choose martian surface samples with the most promise for yielding signs of life.
Tucson AZ (SPX) Oct 20, 2008 - The Phoenix Mars Lander's robotic arm successfully delivered soil into oven six of the lander's thermal and evolved-gas analyzer, or TEGA, on Monday, Oct. 13, or the 137th Martian day, or sol, of the mission.
London (UPI) Oct 18, 2008 - The European Space Agency says it's delaying its unmanned mission to Mars until 2016 and may seek help from Russia and the United States.
Pasadena CA (SPX) Oct 17, 2008 - NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission is being honored with a Breakthrough Award by Popular Mechanics magazine in New York City. In its fourth year, the awards recognize innovators who improve lives and expand possibilities in science, technology, engineering and exploration.
London, UK (SPX) Oct 16, 2008 - Three young researchers are starting exciting new fellowships in UK Universities dedicated to exploring and uncovering the mysteries of our Solar System.
Pasadena CA (SPX) Oct 15, 2008 - The Phoenix Lander over the weekend successfully weathered a regional dust storm that temporarily lowered its solar power, and the team is back investigating the Red Planet's northern plains.
Moffett Field CA (SPX) Oct 14, 2008 - As fall approaches Mars' northern plains, NASA's Phoenix Lander continues to dig into the red planet's soil and deliver samples to its onboard science instruments for analysis.
Pasadena CA (SPX) Oct 14, 2008 - A journey of 7.5 miles began with a partial victory lap around Victoria Crater, as Opportunity headed south toward enormous Endeavour Crater. Partway around the circuit, Opportunity passed the 7.5-mile mark of the mission. In metric terms, the rover began a 12,000-meter, cross-country trek by ending a similar 12,000-meter journey across uncharted terrain and in and out of craters.
Tucson AZ (SPX) Oct 13, 2008 - The crater-counting system that scientists have used since the 1970s to determine the age of large geologic features on Mars will also allow them to date small features, such as riverbeds and lava flows, according to William K. Hartmann, a senior scientist at the Tucson-based Planetary Science Institute.
