Longueuil, Quebec, May 25, 2008 – NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander carrying Canada's meteorological station successfully touched down on the Red Planet at 7:53 p.m. EDT. The Phoenix team is awaiting a communication from Mars later tonight to learn whether the lander has successfully opened its solar arrays to generate electricity. The meteorological (MET) station will track the weather and climate on Mars. The mission marks the first time Canadian technology has landed on the surface of another planet.
Part of the MET station, the Canadian-built lidar instrument, which will probe the Martian atmosphere, proudly bears the same Canada wordmark on its thermal blankets as the Space Shuttle's Canadarm, as well as Canadarm2 and Dextre on the International Space Station. Canadians can expect to see an image of the wordmark taken by Phoenix's on board Surface Stereo Imager during the first week of the mission.
"Seeing the Canada wordmark on Mars should be a source of pride for all Canadians," said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency. "In fact, Canada is making such great strides in space technology that we'll truly be on the world's radar screen for years to come. Not only have we designed this meteorological station, but also communications satellites, earth observation satellites, robotics, and we're attracting the best and brightest space experts from around the world."
Phoenix traveled a total of 680 million kilometres to land in the Arctic region of Mars, where it will begin a planned 90-day science mission. Phoenix will use its 2.35-metre robotic arm to dig for clues about the history of water on Mars, as well as the soil's potential for harbouring life. Canada's meteorological station will help accurately model Mars's climate and predict future weather processes. This information may improve understanding of Earth's dynamic Polar Regions by comparing the two planets.
Canada's participation in Phoenix brings together expertise from the Government of Canada, private industry and the research community from across the country. York University leads the Canadian science team with the participation of the University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, Optech and Natural Resources Canada (Geological Survey of Canada), and international collaboration from the Finnish Meteorological Institute. MDA Space Missions is the prime contractor for the meteorological station, in partnership with Optech. The Canadian Space Agency has invested $37 million for the design, building, operations and scientific support of the MET station.
About the Canadian Space Agency
Established in 1989, the CSA coordinates all civil space-related policies and programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. The CSA directs its resources and activities through four key thrusts: earth observation, space science and exploration, satellite communications, and space awareness and learning. By leveraging international cooperation, the CSA generates world-class scientific research and industrial development for the benefit of humanity.
For more information, please visit the Agency's website: www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/exploration/phoenix.asp
Video, animations and pictures are available at this address:
ftp://ftp-phoenix.space.gc.ca/pub/
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For more information, please contact:
Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
450-926-4370
www.space.gc.ca
Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
