NASA Launch Commentator: "3.2.1. we have ignition. we have liftoff
of the Delta II rocket carrying the Mars Polar Lander.
NASA's first visit to the Red Planet's southern pole."
NASA's Mars Polar Lander spacecraft was launched aboard a
Boeing Delta II rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
on January 3. 1999. at 3:21 pm. Eastern Time.
Mars Polar Lander was the second of a pair of spacecraft launched separately in
the Mars Surveyor '98 Project. Mars Polar Lander would rendezvous at the Red
Planet with its companion spacecraft. Mars Climate Orbiter. about eleven months
after launch.
The two spacecraft were designed to study the Martian weather. climate. and more.
Mars Climate Orbiter was the first of the pair to arrive. but the spacecraft failed to
achieve orbit around Mars. and was lost.
The goal of MPL was to soft land. under propulsive power. on the frigid terrain
near the edge of Mars' south polar ice cap. It would use cameras. a robotic arm and
instruments to measure the Martian soil composition. and dig for water ice.
However. Mars Polar Lander also was lost during its attempted landing
on December 3. 1999.