spacetoday.net: Communications glitch slows Phoenix work

Posted: Wed, May 28, 2008, 5:25 AM ET (0925 GMT)

Phoenix image of flag and DVD (NASA/JPL/UA)

A problem with a communications relay between Earth and the Phoenix Mars Lander slowed the checkout of the spacecraft, although both Phoenix and an orbiting spacecraft returned new images of the landing site Tuesday. A "transitory event" with the UHF radio on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which serves as a relay between the lander and Earth, slowed work to check the lander's systems and preparations to unstow the lander's robotic arm. The problem isn't considered a major problem and appeared to have been resolved by Tuesday night. Another spacecraft, Mars Odyssey, can also serve as a relay should problems with MRO's radio persist. Phoenix did return some additional images of its landing site, and MRO took an image of the landing site from orbit that clearly shows the lander as well as its heat shield, backshell, and parachute.