Mars Polar Lander: the story
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 1 of 3
3 January 1999
Launch
Mars Polar Lander left Earth on a Delta II 7425 from Space Launch Complex 17B.
AI-narrated
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 2 of 3
1999
Life’s work
Built to dig near the south pole of Mars, it went silent as it began its descent and was never heard from again.
AI-narrated
Mars Polar Lander · Chapter 3 of 3
3 December 1999
Lost on arrival
Contact ended as planned before atmospheric entry and never came back. The likeliest cause is that the engines shut off too early, before touchdown.
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