Posted: Thu, Jul 3, 2008, 7:45 AM ET (1145 GMT)
The possibility of a short circuit in a key instrument on NASA's Mars Phoenix Lander has led scientists to accelerate the analysis of a sample of ice-rich soil, project officials said Wednesday. Engineers are concerned about the lander's Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA), one of its key instruments, after it suffered a short circuit during operation last month. Taking a conservative approach, scientists opted to move ahead and use a soil sample thought to be rich in ice in the instrument next, in case the problem worsens and prevents future use of TEGA. The project team will be standing down Thursday through Saturday for the US Independence Day holiday, although some preprogrammed science operations will continue during the break.

Related Links:

•  Aviation Week article
•  AP article
•  Univ. of Arizona press release