description Mars Observer Overview
Mars Observer was a NASA orbiter launched in 1992 to study Mars. The spacecraft lost contact on 21 August 1993, three days before its planned orbital insertion, and it never entered Martian orbit or returned the intended science data. The mission failure ended the planned orbital investigation before normal operations began. The exact cause of the loss of communications was not conclusively established, although the failure became one of NASA's notable Mars mission losses.
help Mars Observer FAQ
What happened to NASA's Mars Observer?
Mars Observer lost contact on 21 August 1993, three days before its planned insertion into orbit around Mars. The spacecraft never entered Martian orbit or returned its intended science data.
When was Mars Observer launched?
NASA launched Mars Observer in 1992 as an orbiter intended to study Mars. Its mission ended before the spacecraft could begin its planned orbital science work.
What was Mars Observer supposed to do?
Mars Observer was designed to study Mars from orbit and return scientific measurements about the planet. The loss of contact prevented it from completing that planned mission.
Did Mars Observer reach Mars orbit?
No. Contact was lost before the planned orbital insertion, so Mars Observer never entered Martian orbit. The mission failure ended the spacecraft's opportunity to return its intended data.
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