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    Nasa's Phoenix Spacecraft Is Fully Scoopable

    After experiencing a little trouble early on with the robotic arm on the Phoenix lander, it appears that all systems are go for NASA to begin sampling Martian dirt. A practice scoop was carried out successfully and scientists noted that "a bright material appears in the scooped-up soil and in the hole from which it came"—which could mean the presence of ice or salt, according to experts. However, full-scale soil testing is not set to begin until later this week.


    [Phoenix]


    Send an email to Sean Fallon, the author of this post, at sean@gizmodo.com.