41.   With each trip around the planet, Odyssey is dipping into the Martian atmosphere for several minutes, a process that gradually reins in the probe.

42.   With each orbit, the probe will dip into the thin Martian atmosphere for several minutes, just enough for the frictional drag to gently reel in the spacecraft.

43.   Dust storms raged during the first year of the Viking visit, leaving the Martian atmosphere choked with dust particles.

44.   Engineers plan to use the Martian atmosphere to slow the craft and settle it into orbit, a technique called aerobraking.

45.   It likely burned up or broke apart in the Martian atmosphere that it was supposed to study, controllers said.

46.   Just before the craft enters the Martian atmosphere, it will release two penetrating probes that will punch beneath the soil.

47.   Malin said the water then either evaporated into the dry Martian atmosphere or seeped back into the soil.

48.   Mars Global Surveyor is gradually descending into the Martian atmosphere using its own aerodynamic drag to slow down.

49.   The Mars Global Surveyor fired its main rocket engine to descend toward the fringes of the Martian atmosphere in an effort to tighten its orbit around the red planet.

50.   The probe had been designed to withstand entry into the Martian atmosphere.