In 2004, Opportunity one of the Mars rovers discovered Mars had surface water for millions of years long enough for life to develop in that planet. Is there still any water present in Mars? This is an area of controversy. If water is present, it is well hidden beneath the surface.
NASA's Phoenix robotic space craft is scheduled to be launched in August 2007 will land in Martian artic circle in June 2008. Its robotic arm will be digging for water under the surface and obtain information about the geological history of water.
Another exciting objective of this mission will be to look for habitable environment suitable for microbial life. Some evidence suggests that the subterranean ice on Mars periodically melt to create a habitable zone. Phoenix, by digging up to half a metre down will look for evidence of degraded organic molecules.
Compared to the long living Martian rovers, this stationary robotic craft will have a shorter life span. Since it is landing nearer to the pole, after about 3 months, the sun will start setting soon and space craft will be frozen for the winter covered with solid carbon dioxide.
But during those 3 months, let us hope that this Phoenix which has risen from the ashes of the ill fated Polar lander will change the way we think about the desolate planet and life as we know it.
Check out this
Newscientist article on the same
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