NASA hopes Phoenix rises to Mars landing

PASADENA, Calif., May 23 (UPI) -- Sunday's planned landing of the Mars Phoenix Lander probe may provide U.S. scientists with evidence of life on Mars, NASA officials say.

The Phoenix Lander has been traveling to its mission since last August, joining the highly successful Spirit and Opportunity rover missions, CNN reported Friday.

"I do not feel confident. But in my heart I'm an optimist, and I think this is going to be a very successful mission," principal investigator Peter Smith said of the mission seeking proof of life.

Scientists and engineers making up the Mars Phoenix Lander team in Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., sent many instruments aboard the Phoenix to analyze soils and permafrost on Mars' surface for life, past or present, CNN reported.

But first the team must endure what they call "seven minutes of terror" as the craft enters the Martian atmosphere at 13,000 mph, hits the brakes and lands, CNN said.

During the landing, onboard computers must direct the rover to deploy its parachute, lose its heat shield, extend its legs, release the parachute and fire its thrusters for landing, NASA says.

"Everything has to go right," said NASA Associate Administrator Ed Weiler. "You can't afford any failures."