The mars Pathfinder Project is being developed to demonstrate new concepts for use in future missions to Mars, and to conduct focused, but significant, scientific observations of the planet. Scheduled for launch in December 1996 and arrival in July 1997, Mars Pathfinder is the second project in NASA's Discovery Program, a new initiative to conduct small, low-cost interplanetary missions with a maximum three year development period. An overview of the Mars Pathfinder mission is presented, covering the salient features of the spacecraft and its payload, and some of the more unusual engineering aspects of the mission. Special emphasis is given to the spacecraft's atmospheric entry, descent, and landing system, which makes use of both propulsive and airbag impact attenuation elements.
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