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U.S. Scientists Confirm Water on Mars Laboratory tests aboard NASAs Phoenix Mars Lander have identified water in a soil sample; the landers robotic arm delivered the sample Wednesday to an instrument that identifies vapors produced by the heating of samples. The robotic arm is a critical part of the Phoenix Mars mission. It is needed to trench into the icy layers of northern polar Mars and deliver samples to instruments that will analyze what Mars is made of, what its water is like, and whether it is or has ever been a possible habitat for life. Mars is giving us some surprises, said Phoenix principal investigator Peter Smith of the University of Arizona. Were excited because surprises are where discoveries come from. One surprise is how the soil is behaving. The ice-rich layers stick to the scoop when poised in the sun above the deck, different from what we expected, from all the Mars simulation testing weve done so far. The mission is examining the sky as well as the ground. A Canadian instrument is using a laser beam to study dust and clouds overhead. A full-circle, color panorama of Phoenixs surroundings also has been completed by the spacecraft. 31. What was discovered by NASAs Phoenix Mars Lander on Mars? B. Flowing rivers D. Living things A. The sample vaporized away | 
