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2001 Mars Odyssey The 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter is scheduled for launch on April 7, 2001 and will arrive at Mars 6 months later on Oct. 20, 2001. In addition to acquiring scientific information, the orbiter will serve as a telecommunications relay for the 2003 rovers. |
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After the loss of both the Mars Climate Orbiter and the Mars Polar Lander, NASA conducted a review of its Mars Program, calling in experts to evaluate and re-define its future direction. Drastic changes in the program have been made, including the cancellation of the 2001 lander mission and the indefinite postponement of the sample return missions scheduled for later this decade. On the positive side, the 2001 orbiter mission remains
on schedule, and NASA has announced an exciting dual-rover mission for the
2003 launch opportunity.
NASA'S MARS PROGRAMS Although they are targeted at the same planet, some Mars missions have their roots in different NASA programs. Learn about the programs responsible for getting the U.S. to Mars in the recent past and the future.
MARS, WATER & LIFE |