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Credit & Copyright: Courtesy
NASA
Explanation:
Looking down from atop a
Delta II rocket
blasting skyward, solid fuel
boosters fall away (left) and the Earth's limb slides into view.
These pictures from the
launch of the Mars Climate Orbiter
were taken as it climbed away from
Cape Canaveral Air Station
Space Launch Complex 17 on December 11.
This spacecraft won't arrive at Mars in time
for Christmas though, as its
cruise to the red planet will require about 9 1/2 Earth
months to complete.
Once it does get there it will use
aerobraking to help establish
a polar science mapping orbit for studying the martian atmosphere.
The orbiter is also scheduled to act as a communications relay for
the soon to be launched
Mars Polar Lander.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Mars - spacecraft - rocket
Publications with words: Mars - spacecraft - rocket
See also:
- APOD: 2026 July 29 Á Psyche Receives Gravity Assist from Mars
- APOD: 2026 July 28 Á Barnards Loop over Twin Volcanoes
- APOD: 2026 July 21 Á Turtle Rock on Mars
- APOD: 2026 June 27 Á Mars Marathon by Perseverance
- APOD: 2026 March 28 Á Robert Goddard and Nell
- APOD: 2026 March 19 Á Launch Plume: SpaceX Jellyfish
- APOD: 2026 February 22 Á Shadow of a Martian Robot