Despite all the reported electrical problems on the Mars rovers, NASA has released positive results on the Martian soil tests performed Sunday July 5, 2008 by the Phoenix rover.
There had been concerns that this might be the last sample that the TEGA (Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer) could process due to electrical circuit problems on the Phoenix rover.
There has been one sample previously delivered to the TEGA two weeks ago. Current samples will be compared to these previous sample results. The third sample to be sent to the TEGA will not be soil.
NASA plans to gather a pure sample of the white substance we see in the trenches the Phoenix scoop has been digging in the Martian soil. They have been practicing sample recovery methods today.
All indications are that the third test will complete the data needed to determine the question of whether there is, or ever has been, water on the surface of Mars. This sample will be placed in the Phoenix TEGA later this week.
Success with these tests will hopefully remove NASA concerns about further TEGA electrical problems. There has been no further mention of circuit problems on the Phoenix rover main circuit boards.
Do check the Blogroll on the right side of the page for the latest posts and articles on space exploration.
Recently here on Galaxy Voyager, we have focused our posts on the Mars Expedition rovers. Soon we shall report the latest news on plans to repair the Hubble Telescope, and a story about finding Earth-like planets in deep space.
As always, we thank NASA for their great images and animations. We also hope all you folks at NASA get a good nights’ rest tonight.
You deserve a break today.
Smiles. ET
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