Friday, July 27th, 2007

Mars Rovers Battle Storms On The Red Planet

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Mars Phoenix being prepared for launch. NASA/United Launch Alliance

The Mars Rovers are caught in the worst storm scientists have ever seen on the red planet. Swirling dust threatens to cover the solar panels on the long-running rovers, choking off their energy supply. Join guest host Joe Palca in this hour of Science Friday for an update on the rovers. We'll also look ahead to a new Mars mission, Mars Phoenix, set to launch next week. If all goes well, Phoenix will land on the red planet in 2008, and will study the soil in the northern arctic region of Mars, testing for water.

Guests

Jim Bell
Professor of Astronomy
Science Leader, Mars Rover Pancam Team
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Dave Spencer
Deputy Project Manager, Phoenix Mission to Mars
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Pasadena, California

Related Links

Segment produced by:Annette Heist

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