Mars Polar Lander

Robotic spacecraft lander launched by NASA on January 3, 1999. Mars Polar Lander was launched on January 3, 1999 aboard a Delta 7425-9.5 from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left for deep space attached to another object (Jan 4, 1999).

COSPAR 1999-001ANORAD 25605United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Mars Polar Lander
Payload designation: MPL
International designator: 1999-001A
NORAD catalog number: 25605
GCAT identifier: S25605
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/360

Mission

Mission type: Deep space
Use: Civil government
Program: Mars Surveyor
Owner: JPL
Country: United States
Builder: Lockheed Martin Astronautics
Platform (bus): Mars Surveyor

Launch

Date: January 3, 1999 · 20:21 UTC
Launch record: 1999-001Success
Rocket: Delta 7425-9.5
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad SLC17B

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): EEO
Perigee: 185 km
Inclination: 28.43°
Status: Left for deep space attached to another object
Status date: January 4, 1999
Last known active: Dec 3, 1999
End of operations: Dec 3, 1999

Size

Mass: 354 kg
Dry mass: 290 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 575 kg
Length: 1.0 m
Diameter: 3.60 m
Span: 3.6 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00761
Final central body: Mars
Phase start: December 1, 1999
Phase outcome: Released · December 3, 1999

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Jan 4, 1999	Earth	Jan 8, 1999	Escaped to another body, attached	HCO
Dec 3, 1999	Mars	Dec 3, 1999	Reentered (orbital decay)	Mars

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Mars	Secondary component	Targeted impact	Dec 3, 1999	—	-76.10, -195.30
Mars	Lander (powered landing)	Targeted impact	Dec 3, 1999	—	-76.10, -195.30

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q575922 (CC0).