Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Mars Pathfinder was the first spacecraft to land on the surface of the red planet since the Viking mission in 1976. The artifact is a full-scale engineering prototype for a spacecraft that was launched on December 4, 1996. On reaching Mars on July 4, 1997, the spacecraft entered the planet's thin atmosphere, was slowed by a parachute and then rockets, and then landed by bouncing on inflated airbags. The protective aeroshell then unfolded to provide the three flat platforms, one of which held a rover (Sojourner).

These tools and hardware were transferred to the Museum with the Pathfinder engineering model from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1999.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Parts & Structural Components Dimensions Overall (Tool Box): 1ft 1 1/2in. x 7 1/4in. x 4 3/4in. (34.29 x 18.42 x 12.07cm)
Overall (Black Anodized Aluminum Part): 6 9/16in. x 2 15/16in. x 1 1/16in. (16.67 x 7.46 x 2.7cm)
 Materials Steel, Paint, Aluminum/Anodized Aluminum, Plastic, Natural Fabric, Adhesive, Cardboard, Paper, Wood, Brass, Rubber, Zinc Plating
 Inventory Number A19990073005 Credit Line Transferred from Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.