At least things are working out OK on Mars

Here's a sign that our government can still do some things right: NASA has extended the mission of the Mars Phoenix lander until its solar batteries die during the lightless Martian winter.

The Phoenix landed in May and was supposed to last only 90 days but it continues to scoop and prod the surface of the Red Planet in an exploration that has led to the definitive discovery of water, the finding that Martian dust is as alkaline as Earthly seawater, and evidence of frosts, snow and clouds.

Phoenix's longevity, however, hardly compares to the lifespan of its little brothers Spirit and Opportunity. These Exploration Rovers were also expected to last about three months. Instead, they are in their fifth year, still trundling about the planet measuring, sampling and photographing. Spirit is now setting out to explore another crater and Opportunity has just climbed out of one.

They are to be joined at a date yet to be determined by a much larger Mars Science Laboratory. Slowly and in increments, the possibility of a manned base on Mars becomes more plausible.

We can do with a bit of good news, even if it does come from another planet.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)