The NASA Mars Global Surveyor, launched in 1996, was a groundbreaking mission designed to study the Martian surface, climate, and atmosphere. This spacecraft conducted a comprehensive survey of the Red Planet, playing a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of Mars.
Equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and a laser altimeter, Mars Global Surveyor captured high-resolution images of the Martian terrain and provided detailed topographic maps. It also studied the planet's weather patterns, detected changes in the polar ice caps, and identified evidence of past water flow.
One of its significant achievements was the discovery of gullies and the suggestion that liquid water might exist beneath the surface. Mars Global Surveyor also acted as a communication relay station for other Mars missions, including the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. The spacecraft ceased communication in 2006, marking the end of its mission.
