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Mars Odyssey

Mars Odyssey

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.

Visit Mission Website
Mars Odyssey Foreground

Mission Statistics

Launch Date

Apr 07, 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 NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity.

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.

› Mission Website
› Mars Odyssey on Solar System Exploration
› Mars Odyssey on National Space Science Data Center

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Mars Climate Orbiter

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