NASA’s Phoenix spacecraft is on course for a May 25 landing near the Martian north pole, where it will sample ice and soil to determine whether life ever evolved on the Red Planet, Tariq Malik reports at Space.com.
Scientists have dubbed the spacecraft’s broad, flat landing site the “Green Valley” even though it is frozen solid. The area contains a large concentration of ice and permafrost.
The Phoenix will use a robotic arm to scoop up ice and soil. The spacecraft will use onboard ovens and a chemistry lab to analyze the samples for evidence of microbial life. The spacecraft will also monitor weather conditions near the north pole.
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