After 11-month space flight, US NASA's Mars Polar Lander touched down on December 3 near the south pole of the red planet, but scientists have not receive any signal from the spacecraft yet, now they are still waiting for signals to confirm the landing. Along with the lander, the two little space probes called Deep Space II, should also smashed into the planet at 400 mph. US scientists hope the 90-day mission will help them to learn more about Mars' geology, climate and potential for supporting life, including possibly future visits by humans. The Polar Lander equipped with a robotic digging arm, will focus on analyzing soil samples for signs of water, an important element for life. This is the fourth US craft ever to have landed on the red planet and the first time landing on the south pole area. The 30 million Deep Space project is part of NASA's new Millennium program, a series of inexpensive missions testing untried technology for future spacecraft. |