Science | NASA NASA Deploys Mars Probe's Robotic Arm Radio glitch delays plan by 1 day By Nick McMaster Posted May 29, 2008 1:00 PM CDT Copied Team members, from left, Ed Weiler, Charles Elachi, Peter Smith and project manager Barry Goldstein conduct a news conference at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) NASA’s Phoenix Mars lander extended its robotic arm for the first time late last night, the AP reports, a day late because of a temporary radio blackout. The arm, which will unfurl over a 2-day period, will eventually be used to take samples of ice below the surface in Mars’ arctic regions to search for evidence of life. Read These Next Trump reportedly wants a $230M payout from the DOJ. White House called off Trump-Putin summit. Trump nominee who said he has 'a Nazi streak' withdraws. Online boo-bears go after the demo firm tearing White House apart. Report an error