ATLANTA. ------ Robotic rovers have patrolled deep space and the deepest seas, but scientists are still struggling to create drones that can overcome the multiple challenges of exploring Antartica.

Georgia Tech. researchers think the SnoMote, a small robot designed like a snowmobile, will be able to deal with the nasty weather and with slippery terrain that constantly cracks and shifts.

They envision dozens of SnoMotes roving Antartica's vast expanses to add to data alredy collected by satellites and a handful of weather stations and sensors.

TUCSON, Ariz. ------ Scientists began releasing the robotic arm on NASA's new Mars spacecraft on Wednesday, on day late because of a radio problem. The Phoenix Lander, which arrived on Mars on Sunday is in excellent shape.

The outage occured Tuesday in one of two NASA satellites circling Mars when a radio shut off before it could relay commands to the lander to get the 8 foot arm moving.

The robotic arm was folded on the lander's science deck to protect it from the vibrations of the launch and landing. Before Phoenix can flex its arm, it must rotate its wrist to release the latches on its forearm and elbow and move it out in a staircase fashion to remove its protective sleeve.

Tha robotic arm has four joints in all, two at the shoulder to allow it to move side to side as well as up and down, an elbow and a wrist, which allows it to move its crucial scoop and digging device.