The Phoenix probe, which successfully landed in close proximity to the polar cap of Mars, confirmed the presence of water in the regolith. Using an excavator, she picked up a sample and placed it in the oven. After heating it, sensors confirmed water vapor. This is the first conclusive evidence of the presence of water on Mars. Until recently, it was unclear whether Mars contains water or methane.
The spacecraft’s weather station also captured snowflakes with a laser, which managed to sublimate before they hit the surface.
A big surprise was hidden in the numerous photos that the probe sent to Earth via relay satellites. In the images, condensed water was discovered on the probe itself.
A short, intense braking impulse, which slows down the probe several meters in front of the surface, blew away the surrounding regolith. His photo of the probe shows a large chunk of ice under the landing thruster.