Perhaps it's finally reached its time. NASA's lost contact with the admittedly-aged Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) probe. It began with a routine solar panel maintenance routine transmitted to the MGS at the beginning of the month. First, the probe sent a signal saying there was a problem with the motor that controlled the array. After which, its signal began to drop in strength, ultimately disappearing by the 5th of the month.

MGS is a rather old horse, having been launched this month in 1996. Its mission should have ended in 2000, but NASA decided to extend its mission. Even up to this year the MGS probe had been taking quite nice pictures of the Martian landscape, making it the oldest of the four probes orbiting Mars right now. Its pictures have been used to help plot the journey of the ground-bound Opportunity rover.

RIP, MGS? Not until NASA's dead sure. They're still hoping that the probe would communicate with them, using an emergency subroutine that transmits a signal using the high-gain antenna if MGSA doesn't receive word from NASA for seven straight days. Worst-case scenario, NASA has one of the young Martian whippersnappers, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), try and take pictures of the probe for proof positive.

Whatever may happen, there's no doubt that the MGS has lived its purpose and its mission well, above and beyond its original call of duty, even. There is no more honorable death for a probe than when it's on its mission.