Mars Polar Lander / Deep Space 2
Mars Polar Lander was an ambitious mission to set a spacecraft down on the frigid terrain near the edge of Mars' south polar cap, and dig for water ice with a robotic arm. Piggybacking on the lander were two small probes called Deep Space 2, designed to impact the Martian surface to test new technologies. Mars Polar Lander and Deep Space 2 were lost on arrival Dec. 3, 1999.
Type
Launch
Target
Objective
An investigation found that it was mostly likely a false signal, that the spacecraft had landed, that shut down the main engines and caused the spacecraft to crash into the Martian surface.
Quick Facts
Jan. 3, 1999: Launch
Launch Vehicle: Delta II
Dec. 3, 1999: Mars arrival and last contact
Dec. 16, 1999: NASA used Mars Global Surveyor to look for the lander, but didn't find it
Jan. 17, 2000: NASA terminated all attempts to establish contact with the lost lander
