One problem with Mars Missions is this whole window of opportunity of orbital proximity they're generally aiming for. Wonder how many of the failures of spacecraft to reach or orbit the Red Planet would've been averted if they hadn't been rushed to get flights off when Mars was close. Inadequate testing and time constrained quality control was certainly a contributing factor in at least some of the avoidable blunders or oversights.

I spent some time on the Mars Reconaisance Orbiter's website today. That one goes off in a little over a year and there's a huge amount of work to get done before that launch date. Loved reading about the high resolution telescopic camera that will be onboard. At its highest resolution, each pixel will be about the size of a basketball. Sounds like we're going to find out exactly the fate of the Mars Polar Lander and the Beagle Lander.