Posted by tourdemars to Mars Polar Lander at November 27, 1999 12:00 PM

Every time we've visited the red planet in the past, we've slogged through the atmosphere and kicked around some dust to get a superficial view. That's about to change. On Friday at 12:37 p.m. PST, NASA's Mars Polar Lander is expected to settle on the frigid soil near the planet's south pole and start digging below the dusty veneer.