MARS OBSERVER MISSION AND SYSTEMS OVERVIEW

The objective of the Mars Observer mission is the scientific investigation of the planet's surface, atmosphere, and gravitational and magnetic fields. The Mars Observer spacecraft provides a three-axis-stabilized platform for the payload system. This spacecraft is the first in a planned series of planetary orbiters that use Earth-orbiting design heritage adapted to planetary exploration mission objectives. The operation of the payload instruments is based on a new distributed concept, providing home-based commanding capabilities for the science investigators. The spacecraft will be launched during the September/October opportunity of 1992 and will travel approximately 11 months to Mars. During a two-year mapping period, the spacecraft will be placed in a nearly circular, low-altitude, Sun-synchronous orbit with a repeat cycle of 7 Martian days. At the end of the mission, the spacecraft will relay scientific information from scientific equipment, placed on the Martian surface, as part of a joint American, Soviet, and French experiment.