It may be extremely difficult, but even after its death, NASA scientists have been trying to resurrect the Phoenix Mars Lander at all costs. Sadly, they gave up last week. Happily, there's still hope.

The Phoenix Lander's Mission Manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory—Chris Lewicki—said that they "were hoping that another variation in weather might give [them] an opportunity to contact the lander again."

In other words: If the Phoenix's hardware survives the extreme—150º F of the Marian winter—NASA controllers will begin trying to revive it again in Spring. They will do so by issuing commands from the two Mars orbiters, and wishing that the probe would have enough strength to restart. Hopefully it will be successful, because everything deserves a second chance. [Aviation Week]

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