I find it a bit ironic that the Mars Polar Lander was supposed to land here as well.  It carried a couple of probes that were supposed to be launched along with the Lander to burrow into the Martian soil and run tests for water and life.

 

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/index.html

 

Funny how this probe seemingly did not make it. I however think that it did, and went dark because of what they have found at the polar ice caps. If life was detected it needed to be studied first so the scientists don’t look like morons when they announce what they have found. Makes sense to have a good description of extraterrestrial life before you panic the general public.