The Mars Observer mission is the first in a series of planned planetary missions based on a low-cost approach to spacecraft and mission design. The mission's objective is to explore the geology, topography, and climatology of Mars. After a 1-year transit to Mars, the spacecraft is expected to assume a low-altitude polar orbit and to repetitively map the surface and atmosphere of Mars every 59 days for 687 days, which is 1 year on Mars. The mission was originally scheduled to be launched in 1990 and to be completed in 1993. However, NASA decided in April 1987 to delay the launch until 1992 because too many planetary missions were scheduled during the first 2 years of the shuttle's return to service and because of fiscal year 1987 funding constraints. At the start of the project in fiscal year 1985, NASA estimated the total cost of the mission at $292.5 million. In October 1987, the cost estimate was $513.8 million. The estimate rose principally due to additional costs related to future mission studies, engineering and technical assistance in evaluating proposals, communications band development, support for two altimeters, and, after the Challenger accident, replanning the mission and expanding its scope. The initial mission objectives are expected to be fully achieved. In addition, the mission is scheduled to be expanded in several areas. France is supplying an instrument for improving the magnetic field measurements, and NASA has decided to test deep space communications frequencies and equipment on this mission. Furthermore, NASA plans to have the spacecraft take photographs that will be made available to the public because of the increased interest in Mars exploration.
Space Exploration: Cost, Schedule, and Performance of NASA's MARS Observer Mission. Fact Sheet for the Chairman, Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, US Senate
1988
22 pages
Report
No indication
English
Astronautics , Extraterrestrial Exploration , Congressional reports , Mars atmosphere , Mars environment , Mars observer , Mars surface , Mission planning , Space exploration , Space missions , Cost estimates , Schedules , Spacecraft configurations , Deep space , Geology , Low cost , Magnetic fields , Polar orbits , Space communication , Topography