Mars Climate Orbiter - Mission Profile

Mission Profile

Timeline of travel
Date Time (UTC) Event
1998-12-11 18:45:51 Spacecraft launched
1999-09-23 08:41:00 Insertion begins. Orbiter stows solar array.
08:50:00 Orbiter turns to correct orientation to begin main engine burn.
08:56:00 Orbiter fires pyrotechnic devices which open valves to begin pressurizing the fuel and oxidizer tanks.
09:00:46 Main engine burn starts; expected to fire for 16 minutes 23 seconds.
09:04:52 Communication with spacecraft lost
09:06:00 Orbiter expected to enter Mars occultation, out of radio contact with Earth.
09:27:00 Expected to exit Mars occultation.
1999-09-25 Mission declared a loss. No further attempts to contact.

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