A software navigation error or human error is thought to have caused the loss of NASA's $125 million Mars Climate Orbiter on 23 September.
The craft was lost 5min after its orbital insertion engine was fired to send it into orbit around the planet. The orbiter is thought to have burned up, broken apart or hit the Martian surface.
The spacecraft, launched on 11 December last year to study atmospheric conditions on Mars, flew over the Martian surface at 60km altitude after its 665 million kilometre interplanetary journey. The altitude was up to 80-90km below the 150km level NASA had planned for the approach to Mars. There was a significant drop in altitude as the Mars Climate Orbiter approached the planet, says NASA.
The orbiter was to have acted as the data relay satellite for the Mars Polar Lander due to arrive on the edge of Mars' south pole in December. The lander will have to transmit its data directly to NASA's Deep Space Tracking Network.
Source: Flight International
