PHOENIX—Sharp new images received Saturday from the Phoenix lander largely convinced scientists that the spacecraft’s thrusters had uncovered a large patch of ice just below the Martian surface.
That bodes well for the mission’s main goal of digging for ice that can be tested for evidence of organic compounds that are the chemical building blocks of life.
Team members had said Friday that photos showing the ground beneath the lander suggested the vehicle was resting on splotches of ice.