Mars Observer

Mars Observer
Artist rendering of Mars Observer in orbit around Mars
NamesMars Geoscience and Climatology Orbiter
Mission typeMars orbiter
OperatorNASA / JPL
COSPAR ID1992-063A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.22136
Websitescience.nasa.gov
Mission duration330 days
Mission failure
Spacecraft properties
BusMars Observer bus (AS-4000-TIROS/DMSP hybrid)
ManufacturerGeneral Electric
Astro Space
Launch mass1,018 kg (2,244 lb)
Power1,147 watts
Start of mission
Launch dateSeptember 25, 1992, 17:05:01 (1992-09-25UTC17:05:01Z) UTC
RocketCommercial Titan III/TOS
Launch siteCape Canaveral LC-40
ContractorMartin Marietta
End of mission
Last contactAugust 21, 1993, 01:00 (1993-08-21UTC02Z) UTC
Orbital parameters
Reference systemAreocentric
Semi-major axis3,766.159 km (2,340.183 mi)
Eccentricity0.004049
Inclination92.869°
EpochDecember 6, 1993
Planned
Flyby of Mars (failed insertion)
Closest approachAugust 24, 1993

The Mars Observer spacecraft, also known as the Mars Geoscience/Climatology Orbiter, was a robotic space probe launched by NASA on September 25, 1992, to study the Martian surface, atmosphere, climate and magnetic field. On August 21, 1993, during the interplanetary cruise phase, communication with the spacecraft was lost, three days prior to the probe's orbital insertion. Attempts to re-establish communications with the spacecraft were unsuccessful.