The course for the Phoenix Mars Lander has been fine-tuned. Landing is expected for May 25, 2008. The landing area has been named "Green Valley."

The landing area is an ellipse about 62 miles by about 12 miles (100 kilometers by 20 kilometers). Researchers have mapped more than five million rocks in and around that ellipse, each big enough to end the mission if hit by the spacecraft during landing. Knowing where to avoid the rockier areas, the team has selected a scientifically exciting target that also offers the best chances for the spacecraft to set itself down safely onto the Martian surface.

Ouch. Who got to count all those rocks?

Posted by: Fred Kiesche at 08:27 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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