View source for Mars Climate Orbiter

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Mars Climate Orbiter''}}{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = Mars Climate Orbiter
| image                 = Mars Climate Orbiter 2.jpg
| image_caption         = Artist's conception of the Mars Climate Orbiter

| mission_type          = [[Mars]] orbiter
| operator              = [[NASA]] / [[JPL]]
| website               = {{url|http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/orbiter/}}
| COSPAR_ID             = 1998-073A 
| SATCAT                = 
| mission_duration      = 286&nbsp;days<br/>Mission failure

| spacecraft_type       = 
| manufacturer          = [[Lockheed Martin Space Systems|Lockheed Martin]]
| dry_mass              = 
| launch_mass           = {{convert|338|kg|lb}}
| power                 = 500&nbsp;watts

| launch_date           = {{start-date|11 December 1998, 18:45:51|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC 
| launch_rocket         = [[Delta II]] 7425
| launch_site           = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 17|SLC-17A]]
| launch_contractor     =

| last_contact          = {{end-date|23 September 1999 09:06:00|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC
| decay_date            = 23 September 1999<br/>Unintentionally deorbited

| orbit_epoch           = Planned
| orbit_reference       = [[Areocentric orbit|Areocentric]]
| orbit_periapsis       = 
| orbit_apoapsis        = 
| orbit_inclination     = 
| orbit_period          =
| apsis                 = areion
}}
The '''''Mars Climate Orbiter''''' was a [[space probe]]. It was launched by [[NASA]] on 11 December 1998 to study the [[Climate of Mars|Martian climate]] and [[Martian atmosphere]]. However, on 23 September 1999, communication with the spacecraft was lost, when the spacecraft was about to enter orbit. Because the computer software was working with [[United States customary units|non-SI]] units instead of the [[SI units]]. The spacecraft entered Mars on an orbit that brought it too close to the planet. However, what happened with the probe is still unknown, either it was destroyed in the atmosphere or entered in an orbit around the Sun after leaving the Martian atmosphere.
<ref name="MCO_report">{{Cite conference |last1=Stephenson |first1=Arthur G. |last2=LaPiana |first2=Lia S. |last3=Mulville |first3=Daniel R. |last4=Rutledge |first4=Peter J. |last5=Bauer |first5=Frank H. |last6=Folta |first6=David |last7=Dukeman |first7=Greg A. |last8=Sackheim |first8= Robert |last9=Norvig |first9= Peter  |title=Mars Climate Orbiter Mishap Investigation Board Phase I Report |publisher=[[NASA]] |date=November 10, 1999 |url=https://llis.nasa.gov/llis_lib/pdf/1009464main1_0641-mr.pdf}}</ref><ref name="cnn lost">{{Cite web |title=Metric mishap caused loss of NASA orbiter |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=September 30, 1999 |url=http://www.cnn.com/TECH/space/9909/30/mars.metric.02/index.html |access-date=March 21, 2016}}</ref>

== Mars Climate Orbiter Media ==
<gallery widths='160px' heights='100%' mode='traditional' caption=''>
File:Mars Observer - PMIRR Diagram.png|Mars Pressure Modulator Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR) diagram. *"The Pressure Modulator Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR) will measure the temperature, water content, and pressure of the thin Martian atmosphere."

File:Mars Climate Orbiter - spacecraft diagram.png|Diagram of Mars Climate Orbiter

File:Mars Climate Orbiter 1.jpg|Mars Climate Orbiter during assembly

File:Mars Climate Orbiter during tests.jpg|Mars Climate Orbiter undergoing acoustic testing

File:Mars Climate orbiter - awaiting spin test - mco9811165.jpg|Mars Climate Orbiter awaiting a spin test in November 1998

File:Mars Climate Orbiter - launch configuration.png|Exploded diagram of Delta II launch vehicle with ''Mars Climate Orbiter''

File:Mars Climate Orbiter - launch.jpg|Launch of ''Mars Climate Orbiter'' by NASA on a [[Delta II]] 7425 launch vehicle

File:Mars Climate Orbiter - interplanetary trajectory.png|Interplanetary trajectory of ''Mars Climate Orbiter''

File:Mars Climate Orbiter - aerobraking.png|Aerobraking procedure to place ''Mars Climate Orbiter'' into orbit around Mars
</gallery>
== Related pages ==
* [[Mars]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}

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[[Category:NASA spacecraft]]