NASA Mars probe to land on Red Planet on Sunday

The Phoenix spacecraft is set to land on Mars after a nine-month journey. The American Space Agency is concerned about the landing, as over half of Mars missions since the 1970s have failed. Phoenix will enter the Martian atmosphere at 13,000 mph and has seven minutes to deploy its parachute, extend its legs, and fire thrusters for a soft landing. It aims to land on Mars' Arctic surface, send pictures back to Earth, and use a robotic arm to search for water. A manned mission to Mars could be the next step.

What is the main concern of the American Space Agency regarding the Phoenix mission?

• The cost of the mission

• The duration of the mission

• The spacecraft's speed

• The landing process

At what speed will Phoenix be traveling when it enters the Martian atmosphere?

• 10,000 miles an hour

• 20,000 miles an hour

• 15,000 miles an hour

• 13,000 miles an hour

What will Phoenix use to ensure a soft landing on Mars?

• Heat shield

• Landing gear

• Airbags

• Thrusters

What is one of the key tasks Phoenix will perform after landing on Mars?

• Measuring atmospheric pressure

• Analyzing soil composition

• Searching for signs of water

• Collecting rock samples

What could be the next challenge after the Phoenix mission?

• Exploring other planets

• Returning samples to Earth

• A manned mission to Mars

• Building a base on Mars