Mars Observer
An artist's impression of the Mars Observer spacecraft in orbit around Mars. (Credit: NASA)
Lifetime: September 1992 - August 1993
Country (primary): United States
Primary Science
The Mars Observer was designed to study the Martian surface, atmosphere, climate and magnetic field.
High Energy Science
The Mars Observer carried a gamma-ray spectrometer, which was primarily intended to study the composition of the Martian surface. However, this instrument was also able to observe cosmic gamma-ray bursts.
Science Highlights
- Collected spectral observations of a gamma-ray burst which was subsequently observed in radio by the Very Large Array
- Observed about 20 other gamma-ray bursts