Martian Phoenix
The first Martian Scout missions scheduled for launch in 2007 has been selected. The Phoenix lander was one of four proposed missions competing for two slots in the next NASA exploration program. Phoenix will consist of a lander (though not a rover) that will touch down in an ice-rich area in Mars' northern polar region, and use a robotic arm to dig slightly beneath the Martian soil for the first time, looking to discover whether the area is suitable for life. The other three candidates include a probe that would return to Earth with a sample of Martian atmospheric dust, an orbiter, and possibly the most high-profile condender, an airplane that would fly over the surface of Mars.
Addendum: Neglected to mention earlier that the probe's name stems from the fact that it involves a spacecraft originally designed for a cancelled 2001 mission. Also, here's an article about the Mars Flyer airplane that was not selected, that also tells a little more about the SCIM and MARVEL proposals. Finally, I should note that I was unclear about one thing previously--after Phoenix, the next Mars Scout mission will not be launched until 2011.

:: :: 09:10 :: David :: [permalink] ::