Shown here is one of the first images taken by NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander
of one of the octagonal solar panels, which opened like two handheld,
collapsible fans on either side of the spacecraft. Beyond this view is a
small slice of the north polar terrain of Mars.
The successfully deployed solar panels are critical to the success of the
90-day mission, as they are the spacecraft's only means of replenishing
its power. Even before these images reached Earth, power readings from the
spacecraft indicated to engineers that the solar panels were already at
work recharging the spacecraft's batteries.
Before deploying the Surface Stereo Imager to take these images, the
lander waited about 15 minutes for the dust to settle.
This image was taken by the spacecraft's Surface Stereo Imager on Sol, or
Martian day, 0 (May 25, 2008).
The Phoenix Mission is led by the University of Arizona, Tucson, on behalf
of NASA. Project management of the mission is by NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Spacecraft development is by Lockheed Martin
Space Systems, Denver.
