The Mars Polar Orbiter/Penetrator 1981 mission, intended to investigate the manner in which Mars has evolved, and which surveys its geochemistry, performs climatological investigations, and attempts to determine the planet's gravitational field, was described. The spacecraft, modified from the Viking Orbiter design, carries a new remote-sensing payload and six penetrators. The penetrators are released from a 2.46-h, 1000-km sun synchronous circular orbit and interrogated daily throughout the 2-year orbital mission. X-band telemetry is used to increase data return. (Author)


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    Title :

    Requirements and Capabilities for Planetary Missions. Volume 2: Mars Polar Orbiter Penetrator 1981


    Contributors:
    G. G. Ball (author) / T. H. Bird (author)

    Publication date :

    1976


    Size :

    12 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English