I’m a space buff so I’ve been following the Phoenix mission for a while now. It finally arrived at Mars and successfully landed 5 days ago (Sunday).

That in and of itself is incredible, considering some of the recent failures NASA has had. This landing went picture perfect, though.

But what’s even more amazing is that the Mars Orbiter, already in orbit around Mars, was able to snap a picture of Phoenix as it was parachuting to the surface!. Just contemplating the enormous number of tasks that had to be done just right to pull that off can make your head spin.

Here’s the photo (from Space.com and NASA):

Granted, it’s not a frame from “The Right Stuff” but still, you gotta give the guys at NASA props for pulling this off.

Here’s hoping Phoenix performs even half as well as the other two scamps, Spirit and Opportunity, that have been scurrying around farther south for more than 4 years now.