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The space adventure > Mars Pathfinder I

MARS PATHFINDER PROBE

The Mars Pathfinder probe was launched on December 4, 1996 and landed on the surface of Mars on 4 July 1997. It struck the surface of the planet with a speed of 15m/s. The probe bounced 15 times before coming to rest 1km from the first point of impact.

The twin peaks seen by the robot Sojourner.

The probe has returned more than 16 000 images until 27 September 1997, 83 days after its arrival. A small vehicle ("Sojourner") has landed from the probe (see below).

Sojourner has traveled the surrounding grounds and sent nearly 560 images to Earth. 

 
The Sojourner robot on the surface of Mars
Credit : NASA/JPL