Phoenix Lander Nearing Launch Date

The launch date set for August of the Phoenix lander seems far away now but scientists in Colorado, where the Phoenix was built, are scrambling to solve any problems that may surface during the mission. There aren't any known problems but the requisite perfection in measurement and execution of building and launching the lander is taking a toll on Phoenix's makers. I thought this was a great example of American culture realizing it's limits since the Phoenix is so-named because it is a second mission meant to resend technologies destroyed in the Mars Polar Lander crash of 1999. One head scientist is quoted as saying he is "scared to death" of potential problems the may occur with Phoenix, as the cost is over $400 million and $30 million over budget. I thought this was a great analogy for American culture in general because the American way is all about being secretly scared of imperfection and striving to overcome that fear with extravagant spending and spectacle.