Phoenix lander has died

The Phoenix Lander arrived on Mars in May. It has now been declared dead. Of course the numbers say why AND the numbers say why robots - not men - are the only serious way to study Mars. As the weather gets worse, the Phoenix Lander will be coated in Carbon Dioxide ice - temperatures of -250 to -300 degrees F.

Well, it might have lasted longer except that a sudden dust storm unexpectedly hit it when its batteries were severely discharged after performing an experiment.

When the ice melts next spring, scientists will take a long shot and listen for a miracle revival. Unlikely. Phoenix Lander demonstrates why a Man to Mars mission would be about as scientifically useful as the International Space Station.

Scientists will conduct an Irish wake for the Mars Phoenix Lander.

India has put a vehicle in moon orbit, too. China will be next. Everybody's catching up with Alice Kramden. ;)

Phoenix was guest blogging over at Gizmodo.

Phoenix Mars Lander wrote:

If you are reading this, then my mission is probably over.
This final entry is one that I asked be posted after my mission team announces they’ve lost contact with me. Today is that day and I must say good-bye, but I do it in triumph and not in grief.
As I’ve said before, there’s no other place I’d rather be than here. My mission lasted five months instead of three, and I’m content knowing that I worked hard and accomplished great things during that time. My work here is done, but I leave behind a legacy of images and data.

:sniff: We'll miss you, Phoenix. Goodnight, and thanks.

I still agree with "Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control."

I'm pretty sure this is tied to the Phoenix Lights. The gummint just won't admit to it.

The Phoenix Lander is dead because the Martians killed it, just like all the others. We're getting too close to their secrets.

Anything painted red must be the home of evil. Didn't mama tell us to avoid anything with bright red lips? Also never get too close to her secrets.

how many siblings do you have, tw?

They report it as if being encased in dry ice is a "natural" death.:eyebrow: