# Deep Space 2

> twin Mars impact probes

**Wikidata**: [Q575934](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q575934)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Space_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/deep-space-2

## Summary
Deep Space 2 was a twin Mars impact probe mission developed by NASA as part of the New Millennium Program. These small probes were designed to penetrate the Martian surface and collect data about subsurface conditions, though they ultimately failed to communicate after landing.

## Key Facts
- Deep Space 2 consisted of two identical probes named "Scott" and "Amundsen" after the polar explorers
- The mission was launched on January 3, 1999, aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral
- Each probe had a mass of 2.4 kilograms and was powered by lithium batteries with a nominal power output of 300 milliwatts
- Deep Space 2 was part of the Mars Polar Lander mission and the broader New Millennium Program
- The mission ended in failure on December 3, 1999, when the probes failed to communicate after impact
- The probes were developed and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Deep Space 2 was classified as a "lander" type of spacecraft designed to descend and come to rest on a planetary surface

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Deep Space 2?
A: Deep Space 2 was designed to penetrate the Martian surface and collect data about subsurface conditions, including temperature and water content. These twin impact probes represented an attempt to gather information from beneath the Martian surface for the first time.

### Q: Why did Deep Space 2 fail?
A: Deep Space 2 failed to communicate after landing on Mars on December 3, 1999. The exact cause of the failure was never definitively determined, but it is believed that the probes may have been destroyed upon impact or that their systems were damaged during the high-speed descent.

### Q: How were Deep Space 2 probes different from traditional landers?
A: Unlike traditional landers that gently descend to the surface, Deep Space 2 probes were designed to impact the Martian surface at high speed and penetrate the ground. They were much smaller and lighter than conventional landers, with a mass of only 2.4 kilograms each.

### Q: What was the relationship between Deep Space 2 and Mars Polar Lander?
A: Deep Space 2 was part of the Mars Polar Lander mission, with the two probes being carried to Mars aboard the same spacecraft. They were designed to separate from the lander and impact the surface while the main lander attempted a soft landing.

## Why It Matters
Deep Space 2 represented an ambitious attempt to develop smaller, more affordable planetary exploration technology. As part of NASA's New Millennium Program, it aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of "microprobes" that could collect scientific data at a fraction of the cost of traditional missions. Despite its failure, the mission provided valuable lessons about the challenges of planetary penetration and the importance of robust communication systems. The concept of small, impact-style probes influenced later mission designs and contributed to the development of more resilient spacecraft for future planetary exploration efforts.

## Notable For
- Being among the smallest spacecraft ever sent to another planet, with each probe weighing only 2.4 kilograms
- Pioneering the concept of "hard landing" probes designed to penetrate planetary surfaces rather than land softly
- Being named after famous polar explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen
- Representing one of the first attempts to collect subsurface data from Mars
- Being part of NASA's New Millennium Program, which focused on developing and testing advanced technologies for future space missions

## Body
### Mission Overview
Deep Space 2 was a NASA mission consisting of two identical Mars impact probes. These probes were developed as part of the New Millennium Program and were carried to Mars aboard the Mars Polar Lander spacecraft. The mission's objective was to penetrate the Martian surface and collect data about subsurface conditions, including temperature and the presence of water ice.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 2.4 kilograms per probe
- Power source: Lithium batteries with a nominal power output of 300 milliwatts
- Communication: Designed to transmit data back to the Mars Polar Lander, which would then relay it to Earth
- Penetration depth: Expected to penetrate up to 0.6 meters (2 feet) into the Martian surface
- Operating temperature: Designed to function in the extreme cold of the Martian polar region

### Probes and Naming
The two probes were named "Scott" and "Amundsen" after the famous polar explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen. This naming choice reflected the mission's focus on exploring the polar regions of Mars, similar to how these explorers had previously competed to reach Earth's South Pole.

### Mission Timeline
- January 3, 1999: Launch from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 aboard a Delta II rocket
- December 3, 1999: Scheduled arrival at Mars and attempted landing
- December 3, 1999: Mission declared a failure when the probes failed to communicate after impact

### Mission Outcome
Despite careful planning and testing, both Deep Space 2 probes failed to communicate after their attempted landing on Mars. The Mars Polar Lander, which carried the probes, also failed to communicate, resulting in the complete loss of the mission. The failure was attributed to various possible causes, including damage during the high-speed impact or issues with the communication systems.

### Legacy and Lessons Learned
The failure of Deep Space 2 provided valuable lessons for future planetary missions. The experience highlighted the challenges of developing reliable communication systems for small probes and the importance of thorough testing in realistic conditions. Despite its failure, the mission contributed to the development of more advanced penetration technologies and influenced the design of future planetary exploration missions.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013