The martians released their black smoke, but the ship sped on, cutting down one of the tripod figures. Instantly, the others raised their heat rays, and melted the Thunderchild's valiant heart.

Good grief, didn't NASA learn anything from any of the different versions of The Martian Chronicles or The War of the Worlds? Those little probe dudes are gonna get heat-ray'ed back to the Stone Age, and we'll be next! Auugh, run, flee!

At any rate, the US Mars lander MER-A "Spirit" has landed and communicated back to Earth successfully, with MER-B "Opportunity" due to land on the 24th.

Meanwhile, ickle wee Beagle 2 is hopefully sitting on Mars pinging away into the atmosphere, waiting for Mars Express to hear it bleating away. Today was the first opportunity for Express to hear Beagle after it moved into its final, lower orbit, but there's been no word yet as to the result. It now looks like the 7th will be the first and best opportunity for Express to hear Beagle, as it will still be settling down into the new orbit for the next 3 days.

Here's hoping ...