Rover Spirit Lands On Mars - Taking Pictures

CNN.com - NASA rover lands safely on red planet

Spirit's landing generated cheers, hugs and applause at NASA's mission control. Team members had waited nervously for confirmation, knowing too well that Mars has often proven a deadly place to visit. Two-thirds of the more than 30 spacecraft that have attempted to reach or orbit Mars have met with disaster, including two NASA attempts in 1999.

The most recent casualties include Japan's Nozomi, a satellite zapped by lethal solar radiation during its four-year odyssey to Mars. Mission engineers abandoned their attempts to steer the ailing craft as it neared the red planet last month.

Another possible victim is the Beagle 2, an ambitious life-searching lander from Britain, which has remained silent since its presumed touchdown December 25.

el - in an unrelated note, my mouse and blogspot are working again after having serious problems.