A Sol is about 24 hours 37 minutes. Mars Polar Lander was a 1,270 lb. The never-explored region was so close to the south pole that the Sun would not dip below the horizon during the mission. Although it would have been late spring in that area of Mars at the time of landing, the average surface temperature was expected to be around minus-73 degrees Fahrenheit. That region might hold evidence of what happened to water some believe may have flowed long ago on Mars.
Water is said to be one of the key building blocks of life.
Finding it on Mars could help scientists understand the geologic history of Mars. It also would fire the imagination of those who suspect life once existed on Mars. Even though none of the spacecraft that have landed on Mars has found a trace of water, finding water is important to future exploration of Mars and other planets. Water there could be used to produce oxygen, fuel and drinking water. Future spacecraft then would not have to carry water from Earth.