Phoenix Lander begins Mars journey

Michael Hecht, a lead scientist with NASA8217;s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said he watched the launch from the mobbed beach with friends and colleagues. They shouted out the final 10 seconds of the countdown and hooted and hollered 8220;Go, baby!8221; then toasted with champagne.

Inside launch control, however, engineers were wringing their hands as they awaited contact with the spacecraft. Launch director Chuck Dovale finally confirmed success, 1 1/2 hours into the flight.

8220;Everything appears normal, but it was a little bit of anxious moments there,8221; Dovale said.