NASA probe reaches Mars

PASADENA, Calif., May 25 (Reuters) - A probe set to make the first studies of another planet's water reached the surface of Mars on Sunday, NASA officials said.

The Phoenix spacecraft ended a nearly 10-month, 420 million-mile journey with a landing on the northern polar region of Mars at 4:53 p.m. PDT (7:53 p.m. EDT/ 2353 GMT). The probe is expected to spend three months analyzing soil and ice samples to determine if Mars was ever suitable to support life. (Reporting by Irene Klotz; Editing by Doina Chiacu)