Mars Surveyor '01

Mars Surveyor '01 is the third set of orbiter/lander missions.

Mars Surveyor '01 Orbiter

The '01 Orbiter is scheduled to launch March 7, 2001 and to enter Mars orbit on December 10, 2001. The uniqueness of the orbiter is characterized by its aerocaputure method. Within a week of arriving at Mars, the craft will be in mapping orbit. The orbiter will also relay information from the lander.

Science Instruments

THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System) has a camera and a thermal infrared imaging spectrometer. They will identify the morphology and mineralogy of the surface.

GRS (Gamma Ray Spectrometer) will discover the elemental composition and detect hydrogen in the shallow Martian subsurface.

MARIE (Martian Radiation Environment Experiment) will detect radiation in the environment.

ACIP (Aerocapture Instrumentation Package) will find the pressure and temperature of the
backshell during aerocapture.

Mars Surveyor '01 Lander

This lander will bring a second rover, similar to Sojourner, to Mars. Along with that, a CCD disk will be included on the lander which holds all the names submitted for the mission. The lander will launch on April 3, 2001 and will land on January 27, 2002.

Science Instruments

MECA (Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment) will analyze soil and dust to find any hazards to future astronauts.

MARDI (Mars Descent Imager) is similar to Surveyor '98's imager.

MARIE (Martian Radiation Environment Experiment) will find radiation in the environment.

MIP (Mars In Situ Propellant Production) is a package designed to produce propellant from the Martian soil. Surveyor will not return to Earth, but this experiment will help future missions. If it is successful, propellant for the return trip to Earth will not be needed to be brought to Mars.

APEX (Athena Precursor Experiment) contains the set of experiments that the 2003 Athena rover will carry. All the instruments, except for the APXS will the housed on the lander.

- The Pancam are 2 high-resolution color stereo cameras which will take pictures around the rover.
- Mini-TES (Mini Thermal Emission Spectrometer) will use thermal infrared wavelengths to measure mineral composition (water, atmosphere, thermophysical properties).
- The Mössbauer Spectrometer is similar to the APXS, but it specifically looks for iron minerals and magnetic properties.
- The APXS (Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer), the instrument on the rover, will find the elemental composition of the surface.