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The Phoenix Lander, a robotic research station that will do experiments for three months in the Martian arctic, yesterday touched down on Martian soil. It will drill down into the planet's crust to figure out what kinds of water exist frozen at the Martian poles, and perhaps help lay the groundwork for a Martian colony or scientific outpost. The lander settled into place late yesterday afternoon, landing without incident near the planet's north pole. It will be doing chemistry experiments and sending back tons of data (as well as pictures like this one, of its robo-foot on the Martian dirt) for several weeks. Unlike the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity, it cannot move around so it will just be focusing on checking out the Martian arctic. Learn more about the Phoenix, and check out a constantly-updated stream of photographs, on the Phoenix Lander home page. More »
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What would we have to do to our bodies if we wanted to live on Mars? io9 consulted scientists, our imaginations, and a designer, and came up with the most realistic-possible portrait of a Martian colonist who might truly exist on the Red Planet in 100 years. She's really tall, doesn't have to wear a bra, and has some pretty awesome photosynthesis and water-reclaiming implants in her exosuit. It's time to meet the first Martian woman. Click through for full frontal. More »
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