SEPTEMBER 23, 1999 Mars Orbit Insertion
On September 23, 1999, Mars Climate Orbiter will be captured into orbit around Mars. Following orbit capture, the orbiter will skim through the Martian atmosphere (aerobrake) until it reaches its final mapping orbit. Once in orbit, it will begin its study of the climate and atmosphere of Mars.
SEPTEMBER 10, 1999 First Mars Image! This image shows Mars as a tiny red "half moon" dot. It was
taken on Tuesday, September 7, by the spacecraft's color camera, and
was taken when the spacecraft was 4.5 million kilometers (2.8 million miles) away.
SEPTEMBER 23, 1999