``Good Morning, Mars``

The U.S. unmanned Mars exploration spacecraft `2001 Mars Odyssey` successfully slipped into orbit around Mars on Oct. 23 (local time), six and a half month long journey from Earth.

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that Odyssey approached the north of Mars around 8:20 PM of that day and slipped into the atmosphere by firing its main engine, and about 20 minutes later, it sent a signal indicating its entry into the atmosphere to Earth, 150 million kilometers away. The U.S. spacecraft`s entry into Mar orbit is the first success after consecutive losses in space of Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander, both launched in 1999.

Mars Odyssey, which launched on April 7, traveled 460 million kilometers towards Mars and is expected to circle the orbit 400 kilometers above the surface of Mars for two and a half years for following missions: △ to study chemicals and minerals on the Martian surface△ to search for water (ice) that may reveal possible existence of life △ to monitor radiation.

Odyssey, a cylinder-shape with 2 meters of height and 3 meters of width, also equipped with the 6 meter solar battery plate, an antenna and exploration equipment, is expected to search for a landing spot on Mars for Twin Lander to be launched next year.

NASA officials said, ``It will take at least 2~3 more months for Odyssey to circle the Martian orbit stably.`` and continued, ``Thought it was quite an accomplishment, we just won the regular season and only the World Series is left.``