Phoenix in Flight
Date: 25 May 2008
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera acquired this image of Phoenix hanging from its parachute as it descended to the Martian surface.
Shown here is a 10 km (6 mile) diameter crater informally called "Heimdall," and an improved full-resolution image of the parachute and lander. Although it appears that Phoenix is descending into the crater, it is actually about 20 km (about 12 miles) in front of the crater.
Last Update: 10 Jun 2011 (AMB)
Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona