Mars Polar Lander: the story
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 1 of 6
3 January 1999
Launch
Mars Polar Lander left Earth on a Delta II 7425 from Space Launch Complex 17B.
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 2 of 6
1998
Testing
At Kennedy Space Center the top of the lander was removed for functional tests of its science instruments.
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 3 of 6
3 January 1999
Liftoff
A Delta II lifted off from Launch Complex 17B at 3:21:10 p.m. EST.
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 4 of 6
3 December 1999
Silence
Arrival day was also last contact. The two Deep Space 2 probes riding along were lost too.
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 5 of 6
1999–2000
The search
Mars Global Surveyor looked for the lander. NASA ended attempts to contact it on 17 January 2000.
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 6 of 6
3 December 1999
Lost on arrival
Contact ended as planned before atmospheric entry and never came back. The likeliest cause is that the engines shut off too early, before touchdown.
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