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Monday December 21, 2009
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NASA's Phoenix Mars lander, which was originally created from the ashes of a failed Mars mission that never got off the ground, could soon itself rise from the dead, Space.com reports.
Scientists may have figured out how to establish contact with the electronic systems of the now-dormant Phoenix. The craft had essentially frozen solid near the end of 2008 during the Mars winter season, which is normally good for an average temperature of minus 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
It turns out Lockheed Martin Space Systems, which built the lander, included a secret ninja Lazarus Mode that could re-energize Phoenix. If scientists can re-establish contact, and this hidden mode actually works, the only obstacle remaining would be whether the solar panels had survived.
If NASA manages to bring Phoenix back to life, they could salvage several important systems, including the various cameras, an analyzer that measures atmospheric gases, and a complete stationary weather station. Here's hoping.
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December 21, 2009 1:05 PM
To set the record straight:
The team that manages the Phoenix Mars mission (at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory) does not think it likely that the lander survived the Martian winter (although we will cheer loudly if it did). And there is no way to "revive" Phoenix. If the solar panels on the lander are able to convert sunlight to power (as daylight hours increase) and the electronics of Phoenix have remained intact, the spacecraft would power up and run through a set of commands which ultimately instruct it to send a signal to the two Mars orbiters. This is the Lazarus mode, which we also used at the end of the mission's life in 2008 when the spacecraft was losing power due to low sunlight and cold temperatures. Starting January 2010 we'll listen with our orbiters to see if any signal from Phoenix is detected but again it's considered highly unlikely. So keep your fingers crossed but also keep your expectations at the right level.
December 21, 2009 2:02 PM
@Veronica: Thank you for checking in and for providing the additional info! We're cheering for you.
December 21, 2009 3:40 PM
Absolutely cheering for you! Hoping for the best, but prepared for nothing. :D I mean, I have to expect great things from my namesake!
In any event, this could be really really cool; I love how it's described as a "secret ninja Lazarus mode." I wouldn't have put it better myself. :D