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The
Mars Polar Lander
The
@stro object for the week of 12/06/1999
image
courtesy of Lockheed Martin Astronautics
The Mars
Polar Lander. The
Mars Polar Lander landed on Mars on December 3rd. This planetary
probe was to provide a first look at the Martian polar area, a place
that no probe has been to before. It was (is?) equipped with many
science instruments including a scoop that was to dig into the Martian
surface and place soil into a small device that would heat the soil
and produce an analysis of water among other things. It also was
equipped with a microphone provided by the Planetary Society that
was to record and send back the first ever sounds from Mars. Unfortunately,
as of the date of this writing it has not yet been heard from and
there is a strong chance that the craft is unable to contact Earth
for a host of possible reasons.
Editor's note:
It is important to note that this kind of science is imperitive
as we reach out to touch the stars. I would have rather written
about how it was sending great signals back to Earth and the mission
was underway, but losses happen. Space is an inhospitable place.
The important thing is to learn from the mistakes and get it right
next time.
| Current
information for Mars Polar Lander: |
| Mission:
Exploration of Mars polar area |
| Launch
Date: 1/3/1999 |
| Landing
Date: 12/3/1999 |
| Status:
Unknown |
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