In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility the backshell of the Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft is nestled inside the cruise stage.

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the backshell of the Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft is nestled inside the cruise stage (at top). The solar array panels on the Phoenix will be deployed for pre-launch testing. Phoenix will land in icy soils near the north polar permanent ice cap of Mars and explore the history of the water in these soils and any associated rocks, while monitoring polar climate. Landing on Mars is planned in May 2008 on arctic ground where a mission currently in orbit, Mars Odyssey, has detected high concentrations of ice just beneath the top layer of soil. Phoenix is scheduled to launch Aug. 3. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton