NASA launches mission Mars

he US space agency NASA launched a spacecraft on a nine-month journey to the planet to dig below the surface of Mars.

If everything goes to plan, the Phoenix Mars Lander will travel 680 million Kms over nine months and land on the Red Planet on May 25 2008.

Phoenix's journey has begun after four years of work and after one failed attempt in 1999 when NASA's Polar Lander disappeared moments after reaching Mars.

Once on Martian ground the Phoenix will dig below surface for frozen water and try and look for signs of life.

A robotic arm will pick samples deliver them to the phoenix's deck where they will be tested for water, organics and minerals. While NASA scientists will monitor from Earth.

Scientists want to investigate if there is or could have been life which is possible when water comes into contact with soil.

The Phoenix will land near the polar regions of the planet where life or signs of life would be better preserved in the minus 73 degrees Celsius temperature rather than the other parts of the planet which are extremely hot.

Unlike Spirit and Endeavour other NASA spacecraft on Mars, Phoenix is not a rover and will work for the next three months looking for life.

However, for NASA scientists right now their biggest concern is a smooth landing after the flawless midnight take off.