Mars missions are not for the faint of heart-the red planet is as unforgiving as it is enticing; more missions sent to unlock its mysteries have failed than succeeded over the years. Landings are especially tough-NASA's recent successes notwithstanding-not to mention nerve wracking for scientists who in many cases have staked careers on machines operating so far away that it takes 15 minutes for radio signals to reach them. The successful touchdown May 25 of NASA's Mars Phoenix Lander in the northern martian arctic shows once again that amazing things are possible with the right combination of talent, grit, perseverance, and yes, money. Congratulations to NASA and the entire Mars Phoenix Lander team for a successful beginning to another important mission to uncover the secrets of Mars' past.
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