From the archives for 18722.167 Barsoom standard (May 2008 Earth calendar)
News flash from the north pole
. Today another alien spacecraft landed, this one threatening our critical ice/water supplies. While the robot did not make off with any precious water, it did dig several trenches - fortunately missing any collection machinery. Authorities continue to monitor the robot's activities, but it is not expected to survive the winter snows.
That's it from your news authority
- now, back to your regular programming on Mars Mystery Theater ...
The Phoenix lander was a redo of the failed Mars Polar Lander mission. Phoenix used surplus hardware, some new experiments, and new landing software (the 1998 Polar Lander was lost when software mistook the vibrations from the lander's leg deployment for surface touchdown and cut the rockets while the lander was still in the air). Phoenix carried several experiments to look for conditions that could support life,though it was not equipped to directly detect life. Phoenix did give us the first direct look at water ice on Mars. The lander completed its mission and hunkered down for the winter; however, the mission could not be extended as the lander did not survive the Martian winter. High resolution pictures from the MRO satellite indicate snow collapsed the solar arrays - though the cold temperatures were equally deadly to the lander.
Yogi
Build notes - this is a modification of the NASA/JPL model of the Mars Polar Lander. The instruments, sampling arm, and top deck have been redrawn to reflect the Phoenix probe. In addition, solar panels from Ton's Orion capsule model have been used. Like the Viking model, the lander sits on a paper "cube" and is secured with two tabs on the block that fit into slots in the bottom of the model. So, the model is secure but if someone in the classroom picks it up the model it will come free without damage.