NASA Approves Phoenix Lander For 2007 Launch

NASA has given the green light for launch of the Phoenix lander mission in 2007. The lander is designed to use a 2.5m arm to procure samples for detailed analysis within the lander. Targeted for the icy northern plains, the lander will give a detailed assessment of the makeup of the Martian soil.

The lander is part of the Mars Scout Program of innovative and low-cost missions. At $386m including launch the probe is a bargain by interplanetary standards.