2001 Mars Odyssey
ActiveNASA's longest-serving spacecraft at Mars and the backbone of Mars exploration. Named after Arthur C. Clarke's "2001: A Space Odyssey," this remarkable orbiter has been mapping Mars and relaying communications for over 23 years, far exceeding its planned 2-year mission.
Type
Mars Orbiter
Launch Date
April 7, 2001
Landing Date
October 24, 2001
Location
Mars Orbit
Latest Scientific Discovery
Live Mission Data
Recent Discoveries
Mission Achievements
- ✓Longest-serving spacecraft at Mars (23+ years operational)
- ✓First global map of chemical elements on Mars surface
- ✓Discovered vast water ice deposits in Martian soil near both poles
- ✓Primary communications relay for all Mars surface missions since 2004
- ✓Mapped over 85% of Mars surface with thermal infrared imaging
- ✓Detected underground water ice extending to lower latitudes
- ✓Identified the most radiation-safe landing sites for future human missions
- ✓Monitored seasonal changes in water vapor and dust storms
- ✓Enabled successful operations of Spirit, Opportunity, Phoenix, Curiosity, InSight, and Perseverance
Mission Objectives
- ▸Map the composition of Mars surface and identify water-related minerals
- ▸Detect water ice in the shallow subsurface across Mars
- ▸Study radiation environment to assess hazards for future human exploration
- ▸Create detailed thermal and visible light images of Mars surface
- ▸Serve as communications relay between Earth and Mars surface missions
- ▸Monitor seasonal and long-term changes in Mars atmosphere and climate
Scientific Instruments
- •THEMIS: Thermal Emission Imaging System - infrared and visible imaging
- •GRS: Gamma Ray Spectrometer - detects chemical elements including water
- •MARIE: Mars Radiation Environment Experiment - measures radiation levels
- •UHF Antenna: Ultra High Frequency communications relay system
- •Neutron Spectrometer: Part of GRS, specifically detects subsurface water ice
- •High Gain Antenna: Primary Earth communications and relay operations