NASA Spacecraft Makes Historic Landing on Mars

Sunday , May 25, 2008

PASADENA, California — NASA's Phoenix spacecraft has successfully landed near Mars' north pole for a 90-day digging mission.

Mission control at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory celebrated after the Phoenix Mars Lander signaled back that it had survived Sunday's fiery entry.
Phoenix will be the first spacecraft to study the Martian arctic plains. Unlike NASA's mobile twin rovers, the lander will stay in one spot. It will use its robotic arm to dig into the permafrost to determine if the polar environment has the ingredients needed for life to emerge.

NASA has not had a successful soft landing in more than three decades since the twin Viking landers in 1976. The last time the space agency tried was in 1999 when the Mars Polar Lander angling for the south pole crashed after prematurely cutting off its engines.
Phoenix was built from a lander that was scrapped after the Polar Lander disaster. Engineers spent years testing Phoenix to resolve all known problems, but there are no guarantees on landing day.

Launched last summer, Phoenix has traveled 422 million miles over nearly 10 months. Its arrival to the high northern latitudes will be closely watched by a trio of Mars orbiters circling overhead. If successful, it will join the twin Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, which have been exploring the equatorial plains since 2004.
The $420 million mission is led by the University of Arizona and managed by JPL.

Mars and Earth are 170 million miles apart on landing day, which means it will take about 15 minutes for mission control to receive a confirmation signal from the lander that it is safe.
The earliest that ground controllers would hear from Phoenix is 4:53 p.m. local time. If there's no word, the next opportunity would be two hours later when one of the orbiters, Mars Odyssey, makes a pass over the landing site.
Phoenix is equipped with an 8-foot-long robotic arm capable of digging trenches in the soil to expose the ice, believed to be buried inches to a foot deep.

The lander will analyze dirt and ice samples for traces of organic compounds, the chemical building blocks of life. It will also study whether the ice ever melted at some point in Mars' history when the planet was warmer unlike the current harsh, cold environment.
Scientists do not expect to find water in its liquid form at the Phoenix landing site because it's too frigid. But they say if raw ingredients of life exist anywhere on the planet, they likely would be preserved in the ice.

We landed two on the equator (Spirit and Opportunity) and now this on the pole. I took geometry in HS and I could land a spit ball on the 80's style hairdo of the girl 3 rows up from me in class.

Remarkable.

I have always been extremely interested in Space travel. This is very interesting. Hopefully I will be alive when they land the first people on Mars. These are tax dollars well spent.

Bro, I still think those doors at the gas station/hospital that open automatically are cool as shit. I wish they made the ::swish-swish:: sound like on Star Trek. And how cool is it with GPS and Cell Phones? Besides the 'Beam me up Scotty' and banging hot aliens, I am basically James T Kirk.

quote:

Originally posted by DieHardBrownsFan:
I have always been extremely interested in Space travel.

Blowhard, I guess if we insert the word space in there I can finally see you as a cadet.

We've got people sleeping under bridges in this country and anywhere from 49-70 million Americans are going without healthcare so by all means let's place our tax dollars as far away from America as outer space. Makes a TON of sense if you only have 2 brain cells and they're not on speaking terms.

Are there any more continents we can save before our own economy flatlines?
- Tom F.

quote:

Originally posted by Flugel:
We've got people sleeping under bridges in this country and anywhere from 49-70 million Americans are going without healthcare so by all means let's place our tax dollars into outer space. Makes a TON of sense if you only have 2 brain cells and they're not on speaking terms.
- Tom F.

Hey now, can't we enjoy the accomplishment of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JLP.) ??

The way my life has gone, I would never be Kirk, Spock, Bones, or even Uhura. I would be that insignificant dude that went down to the planet with the big three but never to return.

Ensign Banks or some shit.

That hot blonde nurse was my first fantasy. Her and the chick from Love American Style. Oh, and Annette Funnicello.

LMAO. I am drunk and painting my Moms house. I hope it looks good tomorrow when I'm sober.

Farrah Fawcett. Forgot about her.

And who could forget Raquel Welch. Damn that chick was hot and dressed for 2008. Fooking you know Jim Brown banged her. LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by Flugel:

quote:

Originally posted by DieHardBrownsFan:
I have always been extremely interested in Space travel.

Blowhard, I guess if we insert the word space in there I can finally see you as a cadet.

We've got people sleeping under bridges in this country and anywhere from 49-70 million Americans are going without healthcare so by all means let's place our tax dollars as far away from America as outer space. Makes a TON of sense if you only have 2 brain cells and they're not on speaking terms.

Are there any more continents we can save before our own economy flatlines?
- Tom F.

Always the wisecracks huh flugs? If it were up to you (which, thank god it's not,) we would just be one huge socialist world, kind of like the old Soviet Union.

quote:

Originally posted by DesertDawg:
And who could forget Raquel Welch. Damn that chick was hot and dressed for 2008. Fooking you know Jim Brown banged her. LOL.

LOVE Raquel Welch, she's STILL freakin hot and she's gotta be 70 years old.
- Tom F.

The last few days/week I have learned to give Flugel some slack. He is a socialist somewhat, but it is in his heart, and not an ideology. I am sure I have been an asshole to him so many times that he probably doesn't believe me, but he is a pretty decent guy.

I disagree with his politics, but at least he can defend his position.

:: not directed at you Diehard. Just drunk rambling. ::

quote:

Originally posted by Flugel:

quote:

Originally posted by DesertDawg:
And who could forget Raquel Welch. Damn that chick was hot and dressed for 2008. Fooking you know Jim Brown banged her. LOL.

LOVE Raquel Welch, she's STILL freakin hot and she's gotta be 70 years old.
- Tom F.

Oh hell yeah. Hey man, Ann Margaret was hot also. I love watching old flicks and picking out the hot chicks.

quote:

Originally posted by DieHardBrownsFan:

quote:

Originally posted by Flugel:

quote:

Originally posted by DieHardBrownsFan:
I have always been extremely interested in Space travel.

Blowhard, I guess if we insert the word space in there I can finally see you as a cadet.

We've got people sleeping under bridges in this country and anywhere from 49-70 million Americans are going without healthcare so by all means let's place our tax dollars as far away from America as outer space. Makes a TON of sense if you only have 2 brain cells and they're not on speaking terms.

Are there any more continents we can save before our own economy flatlines?
- Tom F.

Always the wisecracks huh flugs? If it were up to you (which, thank god it's not,) we would just be one huge socialist world, kind of like the old Soviet Union.

Socialist? Does "Healthcare for ALL" confuse you that much?
A Democracy is "Government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people. If only you could READ - you'd see that EXCLUDING 49-70 MILLION American citizens from healthcare isn't FOR the people or OF the people. Instead, we're keeping medicine capitalistic and in the process we're outsourcing the educated manpower in the form of nurses with Nursing Assistants and Nurse Techs at half the price, one-third the education and 25% of the morale and productivity. People don't show up for work, hate their jobs and the patients suffer.

MEANWHILE, the people that went to school for Nursing have decided they CAN/DO make anywhere from 3 to 10 times the salary of a Nurse selling pharmaceuticals to a society taught to find the quick fixes and solutions. America OVERSPENDS on quick and convenience so in a Capitalistic oriented healthcare industry - we've REMOVED the backbone of an important human service with PILLS. Do you know anyone that works in a hospital today? No, you just watch Grey's Anatomy and think that's how well staffed evry hospital is. And why? Because you got the brains of a raccoon crossing the highway at night.

BTW, for those with an ability to OPEN their minds - there are NATIONAL Health Plans out there where the government is NOT 100% responsible for the FUNDING of the National Health Plan.

America COULD actually have employers AND government going tag team to help us fund it. I'd like to SEE our government possess the ability to take the initiative on creating a Task Force aimed at researching varoius ways to get ALL of our people healthcare instead of shutting out as many as 70 million. The trouble is there are too many brainwashed knuckleheads like you that obnoxiously slap the word communism or socialism into it just enough to end all chances at intelligent conversation on the subject. Hence I got Cal telling me I'm wrong in baby-talk and you using Trailer-park Shakespeare to cover-up the fact that you can't tell the difference between a democracy and communism. When I see ignorance like that and the repetitious hate you have for others in here on a daily basis - I see a coward that probably hides under a white sheet burning crosses in front yards. I could give a rat's ass what you think of me scum bag!
- Tom F. (I was here before you and I'll be here long after you wear your welcome out)

This thread went from MARS to Chicks to socialism.

Fags. LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by Flugel:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Westside Steve:
[QUOTE]Socialist? Does "Healthcare for ALL" confuse you that much?
A Democracy is "Government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people. If only you could READ - you'd see that EXCLUDING 49-70 MILLION American citizens from healthcare isn't FOR the people or OF the people.

[b]Despite your outrage it is socialist.
The more of the wants of the "people" that government pays for is called socialism.
- Steve
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Steve, If I expected the government to foot the entire bill and carry out 100% of the administration of it - I'd be a little CLOSER to agreeing with you. Trouble is - the people that don't fully understand health care or take the time to research it never consider there's innovative ways to do this.

The REALITY is the Capitalism BEHIND health care is exluding anywhere from 49 million Americans to 70 million Americans that can't afford it so we can continue to slap negative labels in front of the words health care we're eveloving into government of the IMPORTANT people, for the IMPORTANT people and of the IMPORTANT people. Our forfathers felt pretty strongly about the concept of "all men were created equal" and today our leaders seem to be wanting to add an "unless" clause to that.

We're bellyaching about how much it will cost us while the REALITY is there are working class people getting cancer, heart disease, or diabetes with NO health care coverage. AGAIN, my vision of a National Health Plan here in America involves employers working WITH the government to FUND it. There's ALL kinds of brain power in the country going untapped. If we can EVER open up to ideas and innovation we'll continue to regress and excuse pretending this is all America is capable of.

Gas is expensive BUT it's an essential so you pay whatever the pumps tell you to pay.

I think something as critically important as health care should be a RIGHT to every American. It's funny that we don't see the RIGHT to bear arms as socialistic thinking. It's a basic human right of every American. See how we toss the convenient labels around? It's okay advocate for all the freedoms in this country but bring up healthcare as a human right and some of you guys are acting like I've got an evil communistic agenda.
- Tom F.
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Plenty of well meaning and intelligent people think it's a good way. Our health care is a hell of a lot better than any other.
But it's expensive. And most people don't feel like paying for it.
- Steve
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Show me the first cancer victim that isn't thankful they have affordable health care coverage. Now tell me how many of the 49 million to 70 million that are shut out from healthcare face the chances of getting a life threatening illness that can be TREATED if it was afforded?

We gave Africa somewhere in the vicinity of $20 BILLION Steve, and SOME of that could have come from tax dollars from the working class America getting snubbed out of healthcare insurance today. There was NO democracy in WHERE that money went. Wouldn't a COUPLE Billion dollars have beeen generous for country heading toward a recession?
- Tom F.
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And you want a premium service free. I get that.
But there are plenty of things I'd like to get free.
Car? Food? Hotels? Travel? Beer? Movies? Heating and cooling?
Bring it all on.
Only fair isn't it?
- Steve
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MOST companies that provide health care isnurance to their employees MAKE their employees pay PART of it via payroll deductions. It's VERY rare to see companies paying 100% coverage for their employees as opposed to a LARGE percentage of it. You might want to take a look at the payroll deductions on your paycheck and if there isn't anything going toward health care insurance and your company foots 100% of the bill - you're probably luckier than the average person. It makes sense why you're nervous about paying percentages like the rest of us though. You gotta good thing you don't want ruined. I see that.

Our economy is at a crossroads so ONLY there's only so many people that can live the life of a rich debutante. ALOT of working/middle class America is going through foreclosures on their homes, paying insane gas prices, worrying about corporate downsizes as unemployment rates across the country have hit 5.2% so we gotta be realistic and prioritize essentials.

Wasn't ALWAYS like this and we don't expect it to REMAIN this way so what happens when you don't believe in PREVENTION of problems via good vision and planning? You pay at least twice as much intervening with them at a later date.

You're not open to EXPLORING ways we can include all those getting shutout from healthcare? I can usually tell those that aren't because they'll label it and shortchange the idea with "100% government funded" to scare others away from it. It doesn't HAVE to be that way. No MATTER what we try Steve - SOME Americans are ALWAYS going to have the money to have 20 plstic surgeries and fanny tucks while people DYING of cancer can't afford to get treratments that can SAVE their lives. Is this where we conveniently pretend we're some poor African country and say - "oh well, this is all we're capable of?" Deep down NOBODY believes that and you know that.
- Tom F.

Flue finally finds the perfect health care system but Mars is unwilling to pay for everyone.

I always find it interesting the amount of money that we spend on "civilian" programs like NASA. I am in awe of our ability to land and recieve information not even including direct a remote on another planet. What a massive accomplishment and one I think the general public should be more excited about and proud.

Davinci would have been awe inspired by this accomplishment.