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
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