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Phoenix survived its landing on Mars May 25 2008. Phoenixs landing sequence will ramp up starting at about 730 pm EDT 2330 UTC and last just over an hour. If all goes well one of Phoenixs first images from Mars will appear on APOD. The Phoenix Lander is programmed to set down near the North Pole of Mars and over the next three months sample alien soil and ice and look for conditions conducive for ancient microbial life. Shown above is an artistic animation of what it might look like to see Phoenix land on Mars. In the animated sequence the Phoenix spacecraft arrives at Mars deploys its breaking parachute jettisons its heat shield fires it thrusters lands unfurls its solar panels deploys its instruments scoops up some of Mars and begins its analysis. Animated Illustration Credit Copyright MAAS Digital SVV Project NASA