Related Programs Short Form Video: PHOENIX MARS MISSION: ONTO THE ICE is a behind-the-scenes look at the first successful landing on the Mars polar region in 2008 and the beginning of a new era in the search for signs of life on our neighboring planets.

A continuation of the enthralling story of NASA's Mars exploration, ONTO THE ICE follows the Phoenix Mars Lander's 422-million mile journey through space, from simulated landings through the heart-pounding “seven minutes of terror” descent onto the Red Planet.

Reaching Mars, however, was only part of the challenge. Once the solar-powered craft had landed, the Phoenix team had to make every day and every experiment count before the Martian winter plunged temperatures to minus 100 degrees Celsius.

Also available: PHOENIX MARS MISSION: ASHES TO ICE (1x60). The companion film follows engineers and scientists from all over the world as they prepared the Phoenix Mars Lander for its historic journey to Mars.

Produced by Arizona Public Media.