Phoenix on Mars?

Mars has always been one of those planets which fascinated many, especially children, with stories of extraterrestrial life. Recall how you stared out of your windows at night, hoping to see little Martians come down to Earth on a flying saucer to play with you? Well, today various space programmes are under way, to check on the possibility of life in Mars, and specially the existence of water.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has taken a step to explore the unknowns of Mars, and it came up with the Mars Express mission. This was followed by a mission called Mission Phoenix by NASA, which is the hottest topic in the field of astronomy these days. Let's look at these two missions and see if your expectations of seeing a Martian in your backyard will ever become a reality.

Phoenix Lander

Phoenix is a robotic spacecraft on a space exploration mission to Mars which is the most recent spacecraft which left Earth on a long journey towards the Red Planet.

The scientists conducting the mission will use instruments aboard the Phoenix Lander to search for environments suitable for microbial life on Mars, and to research the history of water there, which has been a highly discussed topic lately. Phoenix was launched successfully on August 4, 2007 from its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, and it is scheduled to land on Mars on May 25, 2008.

An important thing about the mission is that the University of Arizona was honoured to be the first public university to lead a mission to Mars, and it has taken part in creating many instruments of the Phoenix Lander.

The critical part of the descent lasts about 13 minutes. During this time, the probe will transmit a continuous stream of information to two of NASA's satellites already orbiting the Red Planet, while being monitored by the 'Mars Express'.

Instruments of Phoenix

On board the Phoenix are a set of sophisticated instruments to engage on various tests. Let's look at a few of them, and their main functionalities.

* Robotic Arm

The Robotic Arm on the Phoenix is designed to extend 2.35m from its base on the lander, and have the ability to dig down to half a metre below the surface. It will take samples of dirt and water-ice that will be analyzed by other instruments on the Lander.

* Robotic Arm Camera

The Robotic Arm Camera attached to the Robotic Arm just above the scoop is able to take full-colour pictures of the area.

* Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyser

Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyser, or TEGA, is a combination of a high-temperature furnace with a mass spectrometer. It will be used to bake samples of Martian dust, and determine the content of this dust.

* Mars Descent Imager

The Mars Descent Imager, or MARDI, will be used to take a picture of the Martian soil as the Lander descends.

* Meteorological Station

The Meteorological Station, or MET, will record the daily weather during the course of the Phoenix Mission. It is equipped with a variety of temperature and pressure sensors to do so. It is also test for the amount and number of dust particles in the air.

The Phoenix DVD

In fact, it was not just scientific equipment that went on board the Phoenix. Attached to the deck of the Lander is 'The Phoenix DVD', compiled by the Planetary Society. The disc contains 'Visions of Mars', a multimedia collection of literature and art about the Red Planet.

Towards the last quarter of 2006, the Planetary Society collected a quarter million names submitted through the internet and placed them on the disc, which is said to be 'the first library on Mars'. This was mentioned through 'Space station', and we hope that you added your information to be carried on this legendary DVD.

The Phoenix DVD is made of a special silica glass designed to withstand the Martian environment, lasting for hundreds of years on the surface till it is discovered.

Mars Express

This is the first interplanetary mission carried out by the European Space Agency. Let’s focus on the name of this mission. The part ‘Mars’ is obvious, since it was a mission regarding Mars.

The part ‘Express’ was added because the designing and the construction was done in rather a hurry and ‘Express’ also describes the spacecraft’s relatively short interplanetary voyage, which resulted as being launched when the orbits of Earth and Mars brought them closer than ever before in about 60,000 years.

The ‘Mars Express’ consisted of two parts, namely the Mars Express Orbiter and the Beagle. The Orbiter was to orbit Mars and investigate at a distance, whereas Beagle was a lander which was arranged to perform tests on the Martian surface. Unfortunately, the Beagle landing did not turn out successfully. But, the Mars Express orbiter has been sending results of important measurements since early 2004.

The Mars Express will keep an eye on NASA’s Phoenix Lander as it reaches the Martian surface, according to a request made by NASA to the ESA to monitor the Phoenix’s Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) stage. This is a good example of international cooperation and interplanetary networking.

Aravinda Dassanayake