Indeed, mission officials were pleased with Sojourner's response to the mishap.

But mission officials are only too aware that success cannot be taken for granted.

None of this research is likely to produce immediate or sensational results, mission officials said.

In the end, mission officials could not quite bring themselves to say it was all over for Mars Pathfinder.

Early tests indicated that the replacement unit was working as planned, mission officials said.

Article 14 granted to mission officials the same legal status as other clergy.

As time was running out yesterday, mission officials put on a brave front.

A full-time secretary at the mission earns $20,000 to $21,000 a year, mission administrative officials said.

After Pathfinder's first week on Mars, mission officials gave themselves high marks for its performance.

But mission officials remained hopeful, if not optimistic, and the crew began the long process of strapping into their seats at around noon.