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What is the Mars Pathfinder mission?
The Mars Pathfinder Mission is the second launch in the Discovery Program, a NASA initiative for planetary missions with a maximum three year development cycle and a cost cap of $150M (FY92) for development. The Mars Pathfinder is managed for NASA by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California. |
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The mission is primarily an engineering demonstration of key technologies and concepts for eventual use in future missions to Mars employing scientific landers. Pathfinder also delivers science instruments to the surface of Mars to investigate the structure of the martian atmosphere, surface meteorology, surface geology, form, and structure, and the elemental composition of martian rocks and soil. In addition a free-ranging surface rover is deployed to conduct technology experiments and to serve as an instrument deployment mechanism.
Why should I care?
It has been 20 years since we have visited the red planet. The success of this mission has really givin our space program a much needed shot in the arm. Pathfinder is leading the way to other missions that should at last confirm our greatest of hopes. Life on other worlds. Our future is truly written in the stars.
The Images
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The first color images from Mars Pathfinder show the rover looking out over Ares Vallis. |
