MSSS has a long history of interaction with the general public through
participation in the Marslink program for middle and high-school students,
administered by The Planetary Society. In addition, the MSSS World-Wide Web
server (http://www.msss.com) provides information on space exploration and
martian geology, and direct net access to a large fraction of the Viking
Orbiter image dataset. Since its inception in early 1994, the MSSS Web server
has processed over 200,000 requests for information. MSSS also prepared
computer animations for Mars Observer press conferences, and was in the final
stages of developing a real-time data display for MOC data at JPL and the
National Air and Space Museum at the time Mars Observer was lost; similar
efforts for Mars Global Surveyor are planned.
For MARDI data, the following types of public data distribution would be
available:
- near-real-time, full-resolution image displays over the Internet
- access to the image archive via MSSS Web server
- special processing and limited hardcopy for educational materials
distributed by NASA and special-interest groups such as The Planetary
Society
- physical and "virtual reality" tours and student participation in
mission operations through the MSSS facility
- instrument progress and status updates during development,
testing, and flight, including sample images
- animations derived from MARDI data products for broad distribution
The initial operations of the Mars Surveyor '98 Lander will likely be treated
as a "media event," and a large amount of public interest will be generated.
The focus of this interest will almost certainly be on imaging products, and
the rapid production and distribution of MARDI products will be an essential
key to success.
Return to MSSS
Home Page