After over a five months of dedicated and continual service – and more than 25,000 photos of the “red planet” transmitted, the Mars Lander has called it quits, so to speak. Researches from NASA have confirmed that they have been unable to communicate with the Mars Lander , called Phoenix, since November 2nd. They are therefor, calling its mission complete.

This news was not unexpected, as the lack of sunshine this time of year where the lander is located on Mars is simply not enough to recharge Phoenix’s batteries.

The following quote is from Barry Goldstein, The Project Manager of the Phoenix mission, “We are actually ceasing operations, declaring an end to operations at this point.”

While Nasa will continue monitoring the airways in the hope that Pheonix will receive enough sunlight to prepare itself, and send signals, it’s certainly a dim hope. However, the lander has certainly provided us with a better knowledge of Mars, and performed invaluable research. For instance, we now know it snows on the red planet. All in all, the lander has been a triumph that NASA can be proud of.