The Day Opportunity Changed Our View of Mars Forever
Twenty-one years ago, a golf cart-sized rover bounced to a stop inside a small crater on Mars, beginning one of the most remarkable chapters in space exploration history
Launch Date
September 20, 1979
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36B
Launch Vehicle
Atlas SLV-3D Centaur
NORAD ID
11532
International Designator
1979-082A
Decay Date
12/7/1981
Name
HEAO 3
Alternative Name
HEAO 3
Type
Status
Owner
MSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Length
5.4
Diameter
2.7
Span
5.4
Dry Mass
2860
Launch Mass
2860
Shape
Oct Cyl
Radar Cross Section
13.9827
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
HEAO C
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
HEAO
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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Twenty-one years ago, a golf cart-sized rover bounced to a stop inside a small crater on Mars, beginning one of the most remarkable chapters in space exploration history
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