Unfortunately, craft heavily damaged due to scientist’s error

Houston, TX – Facing the dangers of space flight with bravery, a valiant Visitor shuttle crew intercepted the helpless NASA MCO (Mars Climate Orbiter) as it plunged into the treacherous atmosphere of Mars early Wednesday morning.

“We observed the small spacecraft was moving off-course and attempted to warn the NASA scientists, but they foolishly ignored our helpful advice and seemed perfectly willing to allow this $200+ million piece of tax-payer money to spiral out of control in the deadly Martian atmosphere”, the current Visitor Spokesman Jonathan said at a press-conference in Houston, TX.  “So at Diana’s behest, we dispatched a rescue shuttle to carefully move the orbiter away from its trajectory of doom.”

The visitor spokesman dismissed allegations from scientists that a Visitor shuttle had in fact maneuvered the orbiter into a self-destructing course.  “Why would we destroy one of your own spacecraft?” asked Jonathan, puzzled.  “It’s not as if we’re hiding anything.”

Unfortunately, the brief contact with the upper Martian atmosphere was too much for some of the MCO’s delicate antennae, so all images of Mars will be provided by the Visitors.  They will be stationing a small satellite of their own in the orbit intended for the Climate Orbiter.

Personnel interested in these images should call their local Friends of the Visitors public relations bureau.