Mars Global Surveyor, a spacecraft that orbited Mars for ten years, provided valuable information on the planet’s surface, atmosphere, and interior. During its mission, it revolutionized scientists’ understanding of Mars through its comprehensive study of the planet.
One of the key discoveries made by Mars Global Surveyor was the observation of water flowing in short bursts down hillside gullies on the Martian surface. This finding was groundbreaking and helped shape future missions to explore the possibility of life on Mars.
Additionally, the spacecraft also identified water-related mineral deposits on Mars, which played a crucial role in selecting a landing site for a Mars rover mission that followed. This information was instrumental in guiding future exploration efforts on the Red Planet.
Despite its incredible achievements, Mars Global Surveyor ceased communication in November 2006 due to a series of events linked to a computer error, likely caused by battery failure. The spacecraft’s contributions to Martian science continue to be invaluable, and its legacy lives on in the data and discoveries it provided during its mission.
