Phoenix (spacecraft)

*Phoenix*
	Artist's impression of the Phoenix spacecraft as it lands on Mars.
Mission type	Stationary lander
Operator	NASA; JPL; University of Arizona;
COSPAR ID	2007-034A
SATCAT no.	32003
Website	phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu
Mission duration	90 martian sols (planned); 157 martian sols (actual); 1 year, 2 months, 29 days (launch to last contact)
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Launch mass	670 kg (1,477 lb.)
Landing mass	350 kg (770 lb)
Power	450W, Solar array / NiH2 battery
Start of mission
Launch date	August 4, 2007 09:26 UTC; (16 years, 10 months and 8 days ago)
Rocket	Delta II 7925
Launch site	Cape Canaveral SLC-17
Contractor	Lockheed Martin Space Systems
End of mission
Declared	May 24, 2010
Last contact	November 2, 2008; (15 years, 7 months and 10 days ago)
Mars lander
Landing date	May 25, 2008 23:53:44 UTC; MSD 47777 01:02 AMT; MSD 47776 16:35 LMST (Sol 0); (16 years and 15 days ago)
Landing site	Green Valley, Vastitas Borealis, Mars; 68°13′08″N 125°44′57″W / 68.2188°N 125.7492°W
RA
Instruments
RA	Robotic arm
RAC	Robotic Arm Camera
TEGA	Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer
MARDI	Mars Descent Imager
MET	Meteorological station
SSI	Surface Stereo Imager
MECA	Microscopy, Electrochemistry, and Conductivity Analyzer
	; Phoenix Mars Lander mission logo Mars Scout Program MAVEN →

Phoenix was an uncrewed space probe that landed on the surface of Mars on May 25, 2008, and operated until November 2, 2008.^[2] Phoenix was operational on Mars for 157 sols (161 days). Its instruments were used to assess the local habitability and to research the history of water on Mars. The mission was part of the Mars Scout Program; its total cost was $420 million, including the cost of launch.^[3]

The multi-agency program was led by the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona, with project management by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Academic and industrial partners included universities in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates (MDA) in partnership with Optech Incorporated (Optech) and other aerospace companies.^[4] It was the first NASA mission to Mars led by a public university.^[5]

Phoenix was NASA's sixth successful landing on Mars, from seven attempts, and the first in Mars' polar region. The lander completed its mission in August 2008, and made a last brief communication with Earth on November 2 as available solar power dropped with the Martian winter. The mission was declared concluded on November 10, 2008, after engineers were unable to re-contact the craft.^[6] After unsuccessful attempts to contact the lander by the Mars Odyssey orbiter up to and past the Martian summer solstice on May 12, 2010, JPL declared the lander to be dead. The program was considered a success because it completed all planned science experiments and observations.^[7]

^ "Phoenix Launch Mission to the Martian Polar North" (PDF). NASA (published August 2007). July 5, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
^ ^a ^b Nelson, Jon (ed.). "Phoenix". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
^ "The Cost of NASA's Phoenix Mission to Mars". The Planetary Society. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
^ Webster, Guy; Brown, Dwayne (May 25, 2008). "NASA's Phoenix Spacecraft Reports Good Health After Mars Landing" (Press release). Pasadena, Ca.: Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 2008-82. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2008.
^ Peter Smith (2008). "Snow On Mars!". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008.
^ Amos, Jonathan (November 10, 2008). "Probe ends historic Mars mission". BBC News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
^ Ian O'Neill (May 17, 2010). "Dear Phoenix lander, will you raise from the dead?". Discovery. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010.

[Presskit-2007-1] "Phoenix Launch Mission to the Martian Polar North" (PDF). NASA (published August 2007). July 5, 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2018.

[NASA-Phoenix-2] Nelson, Jon (ed.). "Phoenix". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.

[phoenix-cost-3] "The Cost of NASA's Phoenix Mission to Mars". The Planetary Society. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2020.

[jpl82-4] Webster, Guy; Brown, Dwayne (May 25, 2008). "NASA's Phoenix Spacecraft Reports Good Health After Mars Landing" (Press release). Pasadena, Ca.: Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 2008-82. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2008.

[5] Peter Smith (2008). "Snow On Mars!". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008.

[BBC_NASA_Mission_Declared_Dead-6] Amos, Jonathan (November 10, 2008). "Probe ends historic Mars mission". BBC News. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2008.

[discovery-7] Ian O'Neill (May 17, 2010). "Dear Phoenix lander, will you raise from the dead?". Discovery. Archived from the original on May 20, 2010.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]