The Mars Polar Lander, being tested in this image, will land on Mars in early December.
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of NASA

Mars Polar Lander Coming Soon!
News story originally written on December 1, 1999

The Mars Polar Lander will land on the Red Planet on December 3, 1999! The spacecraft was sent to search for water on Mars. It will land near the south pole.

Before landing, the Polar Lander will drop two small probes. They will crash into the planet and dig below the surface to look for water. The spacecraft will then float gently to the ground.

It's very important that scientists land the spacecraft safely. They already lost the Mars Climate Orbiter a few months ago.

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