MARS: The Phoenix Mission, Part 2

After having flown 250 million kilometres through the solar system, Phoenix landed on the 25th of May 2008 in the northern polar region. 

Here there is water in the form of ice under the surface and now researchers can begin to investigate the habitability of the planet.  Just below the surface there could be traces of life – life in the form of microorganisms. Just a week after the landing researchers dig down with the robot arm and take the first spoonful of Martian soil, which will be examined by an instrument on the lander’s deck. 

Produced by: The Niels Bohr Institute
Duration: 14:52 minutes