That Time NASA Recycled a Mars Lander

The Phoenix Mars Lander was a unique NASA mission that reused components from previous missions, including the cancelled 2001 Mars Surveyor and parts from Spirit and Opportunity. It successfully landed on Mars on May 25, 2008, using a radar system adapted from fighter jets to measure altitude and velocity. The mission aimed to search for water on Mars, and it achieved this by using a robotic arm with motors tested from previous missions. Phoenix discovered evidence of water ice and calcium carbonate in Martian soil, demonstrating NASA's ability to conduct planetary science on a budget by repurposing existing technology.

What was unique about the construction of the Phoenix Mars Lander compared to other probes?

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Describe the primary mission objectives of the Phoenix Mars Lander.

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How did the Phoenix Lander adapt its radar system for landing on Mars?

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What challenges did the Phoenix team face with the robotic arm motors?

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What significant findings did the Phoenix Mars Lander achieve after landing?

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