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Mars Odyssey

Mars Odyssey

With more than 20 years in orbit and counting, the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft has spent more time in orbit around the Red Planet, collecting data on Mars' climate and geology, than any other spacecraft in history.

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Mars Odyssey Foreground

Mission Statistics

Launch Date

April 7, 2001

Type

Orbiter

Target

Mars

Status

Current

About the mission

With more than 10 years in orbit and counting, the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft has spent more time in orbit around the Red Planet, collecting data on Mars' climate and geology, than any other spacecraft in history. It also serves as a key communications relay for other Mars missions.

In 2002, the orbiter's discovery of hydrogen just below the Martian surface prompted the creation of NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander mission, which in 2008 confirmed theories that the element was contained in frozen water in Mars' high-latitude regions.

Instruments

  • Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS)
  • Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS)
  • Neutron Spectrometer (NS)
  • High Energy Neutron Detector (HEND)

Interactive 3D model of Mars Odyssey. View the full interactive experience at Eyes on the Solar System.

More about Mars

Image .

Gale Crater

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Northern Arabia Terra

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Mamers Valles

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Nilus Chaos

News .

My Favorite Martian Image: ‘Enchanted’ Rocks at Jezero Crater

Image .

Enchanted View of Jezero Rocks

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Nanedi Valles

News .

Help NASA Scientists Find Clouds on Mars

Image .

Oti Fossae - Arsia Mons

Event June 30, 2022 .

JPL & the Space Age: The Pathfinders

Mission Website
Press Kit - Odyssey Arrival at Mars (PDF)

Explore Other Missions

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Mariner 9 (Mariner I)

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Mars Climate Orbiter

Mariner 8 (Mariner H)

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