|
|
Pathfinder starts sending data from Mars
'This is way beyond our expectations'
July 4, 1997
Web posted at: 7:04 p.m. EDT (2304 GMT)PASADENA, California (CNN) -- The Mars Pathfinder space probe has started sending data back to Earth after making a landing on the surface of Mars that one NASA scientist described as "way beyond our expectations."
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, began receiving streams of data from Mars about 5:15 p.m. EDT (2115 GMT). About five minutes later, people in the control room cheered and hugged when the first batch of data indicated there were no discernible problems with the spacecraft.
"This is the Mom-I-made-it, safe-arrival phone call," said Donna Shirley, Pathfinder program manager.
"We know we're down, and we know we're healthy," said Brian Muirhead, flight systems manager at JPL. "This is way beyond our expectations. The whole day has just been extraordinary."
Landing ends 21-year lull in Mars exploration
The probe landed in a rough, rocky flood plain called Ares Vallis about 1:07 p.m. EDT (1707 GMT), ending a 21-year lull in Mars exploration. The last time a spacecraft from Earth landed on Mars was in 1976.
JPL scientists had expected that it could take two hours or more after the landing before they would be able to receive signals from Pathfinder, indicating it had survived intact. But to their surprise, Pathfinder sent signals continuously, allowing NASA to declare the landing a success within three minutes.
Buffeted by a series of balloons that inflated just before landing, Pathfinder crash-landed onto Mars and bounced to a stop. If necessary, it could have turned itself over if it had landed with the wrong side to the ground. But, in a sign of just how well the landing went, Pathfinder even landed right side up.
Vice president offers congratulations
NASA officials in Pasadena received a congratulatory phone call from U.S. Vice President Al Gore shortly after the data began to flow back to Earth.
"The whole country is just very proud of what you all are doing and have done today," Gore said. "What a great way to celebrate America's birthday and celebrate our country's know-how and ingenuity as we press forward to new heights and new frontiers."
Friday is the patriotic Independence Day holiday in the United States, the 221st anniversary of the country's founding.
The next step for Pathfinder is to deploy an antenna that will begin to transmit images from the Martian surface. The first images are expected to be released by 9 p.m. EDT
(2400 GMT). If all goes according to plan, at about midnight EDT
(0400 GMT), the diminutive rover inside the landing craft, named Sojourner, will roll down a ramp and make its first forays onto the Martian surface.Mission: gathering data for future trips
The primary focus of the Pathfinder mission is to gather data about what kinds of technology will be needed to designing future Mars probes, which scientists hope may lead to a manned mission by 2012.
Sojourner will analyze the Martian surface to determine the chemical composition of rocks and soil. Other experiments will explore the feasibility of using solar energy to turn Mars' atmosphere into rocket fuel, a process that may prove necessary if spacecraft are ever to fly from Mars back to Earth.
Both the main landing craft and Sojourner have cameras on board to beam back detailed images of the planet's features.
The mission is designed to last a month before the
solar-powered Pathfinder reaches the end of its life. But scientists hope the landing craft and rover will outperform their scheduled life span.Pathfinder is not designed to answer the provocative question of whether life once existed on Mars, because it will not be returning to Earth with soil or rock samples that would be needed for a definitive answer.
But the data collected on this mission could provide new clues to the answer, as well as giving scientists the information they need for future missions that could offer definite proof of Martian life.
- Message Board: Destination Mars
- CNN In-Depth: Space
Related stories:
- NASA: Pathfinder has landed - July 4, 1997
- Pathfinder speeds toward Martian surface - July 4, 1997
- Pathfinder nears its destiny - July 3, 1997
- Scientists giddy as Pathfinder nears Mars - July 1, 1997
- NASA hope third time's the charm for Mars probe launch - December 3, 1996
- Pathfinder to roam Mars in search of possible life - October 1, 1996
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Mars Pathfinder Mission
- Mars Global Surveyor
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
Watch these shows on CNN for more sci-tech stories:
CNN Computer Connection | Future Watch | Science & Technology Week
Sound off on our message boards
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.