digging in a different hole phoenix ' s robotic arm collided with a cold surface that has scientific excited about the prospect of next uncovering an iron trench . " we have dug a trench and uncovered a deep layer at the same depth as the snow sheet in our other tomb , " said washington student robotic unit officer for space , ray arvidson . the arm attempt at least thirteen times to access the slab , but was unsuccessful . as a result the crew went into a holding configuration , awaiting its next commands .
A robotic arm has been used for scientific discoveries.