NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft. riding atop a Boeing Delta II Heavy rocket.
soared into space on April 7. 2001. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in
Florida. Part of the Mars Exploration Program. Odyssey travelled for six months
before reaching orbit around the Red Planet.
For more than two years. Odyssey performed its primary mission flawlessly.
as it mapped the Martian surface in remarkable detail.
Its research has produced details of chemical and mineral distribution on Mars.
And Odyssey carried the first experiment sent to Mars specifically to prepare for
human missions.
The spacecraft remains in operation above Mars and continues to collect photos
and other data about the surface.
It is also providing a link to Earth for several other spacecraft that have ventured to
the planet for more studies. including the two Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
No other spacecraft has worked at Mars longer than Odyssey.