description Mars Climate Orbiter Overview
Mars Climate Orbiter was a NASA robotic spacecraft launched on December 11, 1998, to study Mars' atmosphere and act as a communications relay for the Mars Polar Lander and other missions. The spacecraft was lost during its planned arrival at Mars on September 23, 1999. An investigation found that ground software supplied thruster data in English units while navigation calculations expected metric units, placing the spacecraft on a trajectory that carried it too close to Mars and caused it to burn up in the atmosphere.
help Mars Climate Orbiter FAQ
How good is Mars Climate Orbiter?
Mars Climate Orbiter scores 2.25/10 (Poor) on Lunoo, making it rated in the Space Mission category. Total mission loss from unit-conversion navigation error; widely cited as a major NASA engineering failure.
What are the best alternatives to Mars Climate Orbiter?
See our alternatives page for Mars Climate Orbiter for a ranked list with scores. Top alternatives include: Mariner 9, Viking 1, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
How does Mars Climate Orbiter compare to Mariner 9?
See our detailed comparison of Mars Climate Orbiter vs Mariner 9 with scores, features, and an AI-powered verdict.
Is Mars Climate Orbiter worth it in 2026?
With a score of 2.25/10, Mars Climate Orbiter is a solid option in Space Mission. See all Space Mission ranked.
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