8 hours to Mars. The probes are coming.

[saabcaptain]

The first of three landers is about to arrive on Mars. Europe is first with the small 73 pound Beagle 2, due to arrive at 0254 Zulu on 12/25, so for most of us tonight... Christmas Eve. The US NASA 375 pound rovers, 2 of them, are due to arrive on Mars on 1/3 and 1/24. All will use the airbag bounce to a stop technique used successfully for the first and only time in the 1997 NASA Pathfinder mission.

Very exciting stuff... check out http://www.beagle2.com/ for info on the upcoming Beagle 2 landing... Mars is having some vistors for Christmas.

Cheers!