Mars Polar Lander / Deep Space 2
Mars Polar Lander was designed to study climate and subsurface ice near Mars' south polar cap, while the two piggyback Deep Space 2 microprobes were intended to impact nearby and test miniature penetrator technologies. All three flight elements shared a cruise stage but separated for independent arrivals.
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Identity
- Aliases
- MPL / DS2Mars Surveyor '98 LanderDeep Space 2
- Name
- Mars Polar Lander / Deep Space 2
- Slug
- mars-polar-lander-deep-space-2
- Status
- failed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Mars Polar Lander was designed to study climate and subsurface ice near Mars' south polar cap, while the two piggyback Deep Space 2 microprobes were intended to impact nearby and test miniature penetrator technologies. All three flight elements shared a cruise stage but separated for independent arrivals.
- End Date
- 1999-12-03
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- No signal was received from Mars Polar Lander or either Deep Space 2 probe after arrival. The lander investigation identified premature engine shutdown triggered by a likely false touchdown indication as the leading explanation; the probes' individual failure causes could not be determined.
- Program
- Mars Surveyor / New Millennium Program
- Start Date
- 1999-01-03
- Vehicle Families
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 18, 2026 at 14:05:15 UTC
- Updated Time
- July 18, 2026 at 14:05:15 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles