Phoenix Falling: Ready to Land on Mars

[Karen Brattain]

I am buried in work. But I must tell you about the Phoenix Mars lander. Phoenix will touch down on the surface of Mars Sunday, May 25. Phoenix will land in the martian north polar region, where it will analyze martian soil and ice, as well as taking in climate data.

Mars! We’re landing on Mars, people! Get psyched with the video "Phoenix Mars Lander: Entry Descent and Landing,” found under the right sidebar titled “Video Gallery” on NASA’s Phoenix site. It’s a short, excellent video: like a movie trailer, but real! The work that has gone into this effort is amazing. And the work that Phoenix alone must do to guide itself from free fall to a soft landing is even more so!

Find a timeline of events here. This includes a play-by-play of the landing sequence.

The Phoenix mission is directed by the University of Arizona. Visit their Phoenix website here. If you’re in the area, you can even go to their Phoenix Mars Mission Landing Celebration. With cake and balloons!

I am anxious and excited. Happy landing, Phoenix.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech provides us with this image of the Phoenix landing site.