1996-068 Success

Delta II | Mars Pathfinder

Dec 4, 1996, 06:58 AM UTC

Track in KeepTrack

Launch Overview

Vehicle

Delta 7925

Agency

United States Air Force

Site / Pad

CC / LC17B

Outcome

Success

Flight

D240

COSPAR Designator

1996-068

Mission

Mars Pathfinder (Robotic Exploration)

he MPF (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.

Vehicle & Provider

Rocket

Delta II 7925

Provider

United States Air Force

Agency launches

971 (13 YTD)

Site launches

522 (16 YTD)

Pad launches

105 (5 YTD)

Payloads (3)

Piece Name Owner State Track
1996-068 MPF Cruise Stage JPL US
1996-068 MFEX Rover JPL US
1996-068A MPF Lander JPL US Track