Planetary science

Mars Climate Orbiter

Failed

Image: NASA/JPL/Corby Waste · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Launched: 11 Dec 199818:45:52 UTC
Last contact: 23 Sept 199909:04:52 UTC
Duration: 9 months 12 days
Destinations: Mars

A NASA orbiter intended to study the Martian climate and relay data for Mars Polar Lander. It was lost on arrival when it passed too close to the planet, after thruster data was supplied in imperial units where metric was expected.

Milestones

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1999

Spacecraft

Mars Climate Orbiter

Orbiter

Failed

Three-axis stabilised orbiter carrying a colour imager and an atmospheric sounder.

Launch mass: 629 kg
Dry mass: 338 kg
Size: 2.1 m × 1.6 m, span 5.5 m
Power: Solar
Built by: Lockheed Martin
Last contact: 23 Sept 1999, 09:04:52 UTC
Designator: 1998-073A

Mission details from science.nasa.gov.