Mars mission clears hurdle

Phoenix project proceeds despite cost overruns

Nasa's Colorado built Phoenix mission to Mars survived a "termination review" in Washington, D.C., on Friday and gained approval to proceed toward an August launch despite cost overruns. The original budget was supposed to be capped at $386 million, but an additional $10-15 million is likely going to be needed. the three-legged Phoenix lander will carry new versions of science instruments destroyed when the Mars Polar Lander, crashed while landing in late 1999. The Phoenix cost overruns were partly caused by problems with the craft's radar altimeter. Which gauges velocity and altitude.