It appears that the Russian Mars 96 probe is stuck in Earth orbit, and did not successfully perform its escape trajectory burn. from the Mars 96 web page - http://www.iki.rssi.ru/mars96/news.htm WE HAVE NO REASON FOR CONGRATULATION November, 17 - Unsuccessful result of M96 mission Mars-96 remains on Earth satellite orbit and will fall on Earth surface *sigh* Russian probes just haven't had any success going out away from the Sun beyond Earth's orbit Philip Chien, Earth News - space writer and consultant PCHIEN@IDS.NET __ __^__ __________ | \ +---/ \---+ (========= |____\___________ +---\_____/---+ // >____)| | \__ \ \______//___ >/ |________| \ [ _____\ >|____________________\ \_______/ Roger, go at throttle up CHR$(32) the final frontier