Phoenix Descending with Crater in the Background Target Name:   Mars-Phoenix Spacecraft:   Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Instrument:   HiRISE Produced by:   NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona Copyright:  NASA Copyright Free Policy Cross Reference:   PIA10705 Date Taken:   25 May 2008

• Phoenix Mars Lander
• NASA Mars Lander Prepares to Move Arm
• Mars

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 kilometer (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 kilometers (about 12 miles) in front of the crater.

The Phoenix Mission is led by the University of Arizona, Tucson, on behalf of NASA. Project management of the mission is by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Spacecraft development is by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver.