Next US Mars lander gets go-ahead

[Rick]

The US space agency (Nasa) has given the green light to Phoenix, its next mission to land on the surface of Mars.

The announcement allows project team members to proceed with preparations for launch of the spacecraft in 2007.

The lander will touch down in Mars' northern polar region to explore its climate and geology and to look for signs of life, past or present.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4606251.stm