![[Image of Mars Pathfinder in Mars atmosphere]](image/marspath1.gif)
![[Image of Mars Pathfinder Lander on Surface of Mars]](image/marspath3.gif)
A NASA press conference summarizing results from the Mars Pathfinder mission was held on June 29, 1998. More details are available in the press release
Mars Pathfinder impacted the surface on July 4 at 16:57 UT (12:57 PM EDT) at a velocity of about 18 m/s (40 mph) - approximately 12.5 m/s vertical and 12.5 m/s horizontal - and bounced about 15 meters (50 feet) into the air, bouncing another 15 times and rolling before coming to rest approximately 2.5 minutes after impact and about 1 km from the initial impact site. The landing site in the Ares Vallis region is at 19.33 N, 33.55 W, the lander has been named the Carl Sagan Memorial Station.
The Mars Pathfinder's Sojourner Rover rolled onto Mars' surface on July 6 at about 05:40 UT (1:40 AM EDT). Image received at 2:00 AM EDT July 6 shows the rover completely off the ramp, all six wheels on the martian soil. A 9-frame movie of the Sojourner's descent down the ramp is also available (~500 K).
The Mars Pathfinder (formerly known as the Mars Environmental Survey, or MESUR, Pathfinder) is the second of NASA's low-cost planetary Discovery missions. The mission consists of a stationary lander and a surface rover. The mission has the primary objective of demonstrating the feasibility of low-cost landings on and exploration of the Martian surface. This objective will be met by tests of communications between the rover and lander, and the lander and Earth, and tests of the imaging devices and sensors.
The scientific objectives include atmospheric entry science, long-range and close-up surface imaging, with the general objective being to characterize the Martian environment for further exploration. The spacecraft entered the Martian atmosphere without going into orbit around the planet and landed on Mars with the aid of parachutes, rockets and airbags, taking atmospheric measurements on the way down. Prior to landing, the spacecraft was enclosed by three triangular solar panels (petals), which unfolded onto the ground after touchdown. (See image above.) The lander and rover operated until communication was lost for unknown reasons on 27 September.
![[Image of Mars rover]](image/marsrover.gif)
The rover "Sojourner" is a six-wheeled vehicle which
is controlled by an Earth-based operator, who uses images
obtained by both the rover and lander systems. Note that the time
delay is about 10 minutes, requiring some autonomous control by the
rover. The primary objectives were scheduled for the first seven sols
(1 sol = 1 martian day = ~24.7 hours),
all within about 10 meters of the lander. The extended mission included
more analyses of nearby rock and soil and more tests of the rover
capabilities.
Detailed information on the Lander and experiments
- from the NSSDCA Master Catalog Detailed information on the Rover and experiments
- from the NSSDCA Master Catalog
Images returned by Mars Pathfinder Information on the entry and landing strategy Information on the landing site Mars Mileage Guide
- distance between Pathfinder and Viking landing sites and other martian features
The landing site for the Mars Pathfinder is at 19.33 N, 33.55 W in the
Ares Vallis area. The site area is shown below. The first image shows the nominal
landing area as an oval superimposed on a Viking Orbiter image. The target
landing point is at the center of the oval. The second image shows the
location of the landing site (arrow) on the Mars global digital image model.
Clicking on these thumbnails gives higher resolution images.
See a comparison of the Mars Pathfinder and Viking landing site b&w panoramas.
Shaded relief map of the landing site.
Mars global view showing the Pathfinder and Viking landing sites
Mars Pathfinder Images More Color Mars Pathfinder Images More Black and White Mars Pathfinder Images Historical Mars Pathfinder Images
Comparison of Mars Pathfinder and Viking B&W Panoramas
Global view of Mars showing the Mars Pathfinder and Viking landing sites
Information on and Viking images of the landing site
Information on post-landing itinerary
- for the two days after landing
Information on the entry and landing strategy
APXS analysis of the rocks and soils
APXS Mars surface composition results
- Press Release 04 December 1997
Mars Pathfinder mission winding down
- Press Release 04 November 1997
Review of Mars Pathfinder activities and status
- Press Release 8 August 1997
Hubble images show cloudy cold weather awaiting Mars Pathfinder
- Press Release 20 May 1997
Hubble detects large dust storm in Vallis Marineris
- Press Release 01 July 1997
Mars Fact Sheet Mars Home Page Scientific Results of the Mars Pathfinder Mission Viking Orbiters and Landers to Mars Mars Global Surveyor Information NASA's Discovery Program
Mars Pathfinder Project Home Page NSSDCA Planetary Sciences Home Page
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