Mars Polar Lander
Mars Descent Imager (MARDI)

• Mars Polar Lander was launched on January 3, 1999.
• The spacecraft attempted to land on Mars on December 3, 1999.
• The spacecraft was lost during the landing attempt. The MSSS-built MARDI instrument was powered-on, and confirmation of power-on was received on Earth, prior to the loss. It is possible that MARDI did acquire its images (the first descent images of Mars), but no data were returned from the spacecraft.
  
  
• MSSS Connection: MSSS fabricated and operated MARDI. President, Michael C. Malin, was the Principal Investigator.

• MPL MARDI Home Page at MSSS

• Descent Camera on its Way to Mars (Press Release, 3 January 1999)

• MARDI Delivered to Spacecraft (Press Release, 23 February 1998)

• MARS MISSION WEB PAGE at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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