Planetary Observer program

Mars Observer, a Planetary Observer class spacecraft.

The Planetary Observer program is a cancelled space exploration program designed by NASA to provide cheaper planetary orbiters by using Earth-orbiting satellite components and technology, using solar panels for power, and a common spacecraft bus platform for all Planetary Observer-class probes. Only one spacecraft of this class was eventually constructed—the Mars Observer.[1][2]

  1. ^ "NASA Picks Basic Spaceship Over Awesome Alternative". The Deseret News. Associated Press. November 6, 1992.
  2. ^ Peter J. Westwick. Into the Black, Yale University Press, 2007, pp.175