Posted by tourdemars to Nozomi at December 1, 2003 12:00 PM

Japan's high hopes of joining the science-fest at Mars next year are rapidly evaporating, with only a slim chance the country's troubled Nozomi spacecraft will be able to brake for orbit. Engineers have just one more week to repair a damaged electrical system needed to warm fuel for Nozomi's thrusters. If the thrusters aren't fired, Nozomi will not be in position to go into orbit around Mars.