(Link to images from the surface of Mars.)

Coming in from Pasadena, California - 10 months and 400 million miles away from Earth, the Phoenix Lander has successfully made contact with the Martian surface.

The lander had absolutely no hiccups during the landing. NASA's technicians were well prepared for, and even expecting problems to occur.

Concerns over at California may be that the mission went a little too perfect for NASA's liking. Two months prior to the launch, they crippled the lander to ensure a hampered landing, yet there were no issues at all. The worst problem to arise? The lander was a quarter-degree off axis.

"There's some definite wizardy afoot." - Claims JPL project manager Barry Goldstein. "We think one of our team members may have betrayed us and enchanted the lander pre-launch.".

"We are look to prepare ritual to rid lander of protective guardian or space-angel who make home in lander in dramatic and glorious depth of space." - Khalux Ing!ble, board-certified hex specialist. "Hail Loki!", he clumsily added after several minutes.

"The signal was never lost." - Chimes in spacecraft manager Ed Sedivy. "It was a near perfect landing. We had endlessly prepared for a blackout or even mission failure.".

Administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate Ed Weiler commented on the near-flawless mission with:

"We have sent our best scientists to scour the plains of Africa in search of a powerful shaman. We need someone whose rituals can penetrate the most-excellent abyss of space.

We can't afford to send a human to Mars for at least another 20-25 years, so it is necessary the unholy medicine man is able to perform his rituals from here.

It is imperative we cast whatever unworldly spirit is most-undoubtedly preserving the lander to the depths of hell, to ensure the success of a mission failure.

We have a fully trained team which has simulated everything that could possibly go wrong, right down to God himself placing an impenetrable barrier around Earth. We intend to use it.".

The Phoenix Lander team chose not to discuss the matter any further and left the conference room in a huff, after flipping over a few tables in rage and making wasted attempts at picking up a bolted-down chair.

Wired's Mars lander page.

First images from the surface of Mars.

Youtube video of the original mission breakdown.

Pre-land news article from Newkerela.com.