# 2001 Mars Odyssey > 2001 NASA orbiter studying the geology and hydrology of Mars **Wikidata**: [Q207164](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207164) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Mars_Odyssey) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/2001-mars-odyssey ## Summary 2001 Mars Odyssey is a space probe.. ## Summary The 2001 Mars Odyssey is a robotic space probe and artificial satellite operated by NASA to study the geology and hydrology of Mars. Launched on April 7, 2001, aboard a Delta II rocket, the spacecraft entered orbit around Mars on October 24, 2001. It was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. ## Key Facts - **Launch Date:** April 7, 2001 - **Mars Arrival:** October 24, 2001 - **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) - **Manufacturer:** Lockheed Martin - **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II - **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 - **Mission Scope:** Geology and hydrology of Mars - **Mass (Takeoff):** 758 kilograms - **Mass (Dry Weight):** 376.3 kilograms - **Orbital Period:** 117.84 minutes - **Power Output:** 750 watts - **COSPAR ID:** 2001-013A ## FAQs ### Q: When was the 2001 Mars Odyssey launched? A: The 2001 Mars Odyssey was launched on April 7, 2001, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 in the United States. ### Q: What is the primary purpose of the 2001 Mars Odyssey? A: The spacecraft serves as an orbiter designed to study the geology and hydrology of Mars. ### Q: Who built and operates the 2001 Mars Odyssey? A: The orbiter was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and is operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. ## Why It Matters The 2001 Mars Odyssey serves as a fundamental scientific platform for understanding the Martian environment, specifically focusing on the planet's geological composition and hydrological history. As a long-duration orbiter, it provides critical data regarding the distribution of water and minerals on the Martian surface, which is essential for identifying potential landing sites for future missions and understanding the planet's climate history. By maintaining a polar orbit with specific periapsis and apoapsis altitudes, the spacecraft enables detailed global mapping and analysis. Its successful deployment and continued operation highlight the collaborative engineering efforts between NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Lockheed Martin, representing a significant milestone in the robotic exploration of the solar system. ## Notable For - Being a dual-classified object: both a **space probe** (exploring outer space) and an **artificial satellite** (orbiting a celestial body). - Carrying a specific **dry weight** of 376.3 kg versus a **takeoff weight** of 758 kg. - Orbiting Mars with a precise **orbital inclination** of 93.2 degrees. - Launching via the **Delta II** expendable launch system. - Maintaining a **near-polar orbit** with a period of approximately 118 minutes. ## Body ### Mission Profile and Launch The 2001 Mars Odyssey mission began with a rocket launch on April 7, 2001. The spacecraft was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17, utilizing a Delta II launch vehicle contracted through McDonnell Douglas. The probe successfully transitioned from Earth's atmosphere to an interplanetary trajectory, eventually entering orbit around its parent astronomical body, Mars, on October 24, 2001. ### Technical Specifications The spacecraft was constructed by Lockheed Martin with a dry weight of 376.3 kilograms and a total takeoff mass of 758 kilograms. It operates with a nominal power output of 750 watts. The structure is identified by the COSPAR ID 2001-013A and the NAIF ID -53. ### Orbital Characteristics Once established in orbit around Mars, the 2001 Mars Odyssey maintains a specific trajectory to conduct its scientific observations. - **Apoapsis:** 500 kilometres - **Periapsis:** 201 kilometres - **Semi-major Axis:** 3,785 kilometres (2,352 miles) - **Orbital Period:** 117.84 minutes - **Orbital Eccentricity:** 0.0115 - **Orbital Inclination:** 93.2 degrees ### Organizational and Classification Data The mission is a product of the United States and is operated jointly by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). In terms of classification, the entity is defined as both a **space probe** (an unmanned robotic spacecraft exploring further into outer space) and an **artificial satellite** (a human-made object put into orbit). ## References 1. Jonathan's Space Report 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html#Spacecraft)