[X] My Assistant

[pioneer]

Now that Phoenix successfully landed at the northern plains, how about sending a spacecraft just like it to the sourthern plains? We know the design works and could get the science we never got from MPL in 1999.

[djellison]

Oh - I'm sure it would - but having explored 'a' pole, attention (given the limited budget) should move elsewhere, and to taking the Phoenix results and extrapolating via orbital data.

[belleraphon1]

Oh - I'm sure it would - but having explored 'a' pole, attention (given the limited budget) should move elsewhere, and to taking the Phoenix results and extrapolating via orbital data.

Doug.. sir, .... with all due respect, there are vast differences between the two poles. Look at the spiders and swiss cheese terrain.

I think the biggest problem with sending a south pole mission right now is we do not even know the right questions to seek answers to. We simply have NO experience with CO2 effects on minerals, etc., over geologic time scales. H2O we understand.... but not CO2, which is Mars other volatile.

I think we are all too earthcentric.

And landing at the south polar terrains means higher elevations and less air to slow us down... much more difficult I think than at the Phoenix latitude.

But I would truly love to trudge that southern terrain.... what a wonder that would be.

Craig

[djellison]

Doug.. sir, .... with all due respect, there are vast differences between the two poles.

I dont doubt that for one second. But there isn't a Phoenix 2.0 ready to fly, there isn't cash to make one, and the science beacon in the form of H from the GRS is now 'covered' with Phoenix.

I'd love to land everywhere - but when you have one - just ONE lander left on the schedule, the south pole isn't the place, and I don't think it will be for some time to come.

Doug