[extropy-chat] NEWS: US mission lands safely on Mars

[J Corbally]

A good day to be human! ;

>US mission lands safely on Mars
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3365371.stm

>A US space agency probe has sent back its first images of Mars within 
>hours of arriving on the planet.
>The Spirit rover survived the perilous plunge through the Martian 
>atmosphere after a seven-month voyage from Earth.
>The six-wheeled robot will seek signs that Mars was once capable of 
>supporting life.
>A second rover, named Opportunity, is expected to land on the other side 
>of the planet at the end of January.
>The pictures show the barren, rock-strewn landscape around the rover.
>"The images are outstanding," science manager John Callas said. "The 
>quality [is] the best that has been taken. This is incredible. This could 
>not be better."

Here's hoping Opportunity goes just as well.  Also, there's a further 
chance for Beagle 2 now that Mars Express will be overhead soon.




James....