The Mars Polar Lander during tests. It made it to Mars, but failed to make contact with Earth.
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Courtesy of NASA

Oh No, Not Again!
News story originally written on December 9, 1999

The Mars Polar Lander didn't make contact with Earth after landing on Mars. NASA says the spacecraft is probably lost. Scientists don't know what caused the spacecraft to fail.

Also, the 2 probes sent to crash into the Red Planet and search for water have not made contact. Scientists think they probably broke apart when they crashed.

Scientists are still hoping the Polar Lander will send out signals. Keep your fingers crossed!

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