MARS PATHFINDER (24667)

COSPAR: 1996-068A | Alt Name: Sagan Memorial Station

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

December 4, 1996

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC17B

Launch Vehicle

Delta 7925

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

24667

International Designator

1996-068A

Decay Date

7/4/1997

Basic Satellite Info

Name

MARS PATHFINDER

Alternative Name

Sagan Memorial Station

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

JPL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

MARS PATHFINDER, also known as Sagan Memorial Station, was launched by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on December 4, 1996, from Launch Complex 17B at the Atlantic Missile Range using a Delta 7925 launch vehicle. The satellite has a bus configuration of MPF and serves as a Mars Lander / Rover mission. It measures approximately 0.5 meters in length, with a diameter of 1.4 meters and a span of 5.3 meters. The dry mass is 350 kg, while its launch mass was 398 kg. Its power system consists of solar cells and batteries. MARS PATHFINDER's propulsion includes 3 x Star-5 retro rockets. The satellite features an irregular shape with an inflatable sphere component. It was designed and manufactured by JPL for the United States and is owned by the same organization.

Physical Characteristics

Length

0.5

Diameter

1.4

Span

5.3

Dry Mass

350

Launch Mass

398

Shape

Irr + Inf Sphere

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

MPF Lander

Purpose

Mars Lander / Rover

Mission

Mars Lander / Rover

Manufacturer

JPL

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

MPF

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

3 x Star-5 ? retro rockets

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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