NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission – Launch Date, Status & Objectives

From the amazing Apollo Moon landings that first put people on the Moon, to using the Hubble Space Telescope to look deep into the universe, NASA has always helped us learn more and go further than ever before. The agency is famous for its missions that study our Earth, other planets, and faraway galaxies. This work gives us vital information to help understand big issues like climate change, how planets are formed, and the mysteries of the stars.

NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor is designed to investigate Mars, with hopes of unlocking critical data about its operational frameworks and scientific potential.

• On November 7, 1996, the launch of Mars Global Surveyor marked the commencement of a mission with far-reaching scientific goals.  
• The missions objective is ambitious yet crucial: to Global mapping of Mars; study surface, atmosphere, gravity. This will provide new perspectives and could reshape current theories.  
• Successfully completing this Mars orbiter was celebrated by many as a significant achievement.  
• The Delta II 7925 was selected because its specific capabilities were a good match for the tough requirements of this space mission. 
• Cape Canaveral, LC-17A served as the launch site for this important space mission. 
• The operation of the mission lasted Over 9 years in orbit. 
• The mission was organized and implemented by NASA. 
• According to NASA records, the mission was Completed (Successful, extended mission). 
• The cost of ~$247 million (development and launch) was dedicated to NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor, enhancing data collection and mission autonomy. 

NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor includes Camera (MOC), laser altimeter (MOLA), thermal spectrometer (TES), designed to improve navigation, data collection, and environmental monitoring.

Mars Global Surveyor relied on Aerobraking for orbit circularization, long-term orbital mapping to achieve greater operational independence and efficiency in unstructured space settings. In this article, we’ve explored every phase of Mars Global Surveyor—from its initial proposal to its mission completion which will give UPSC aspirants a complete perspective valuable for UPSC Mains GS Papers 2, 3, 4, and the Essay Paper.

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NASA Mars Global Surveyor Space Mission Overview 

Mars Global Surveyor – Space Mission Profile for UPSC
Target Celestial Body	Mars
Launch Date	November 7, 1996
Objective	Global mapping of Mars; study surface, atmosphere, gravity
Mission Type	Mars orbiter
Launch Vehicle	Delta II 7925
Launch Site	Cape Canaveral, LC-17A
Mission Duration	Over 9 years in orbit
Agencies Involved	NASA
Mission Status	Completed (Successful, extended mission)
Estimated Cost	~$247 million (development and launch)
Proposal Date	Early 1990s
New Instruments/Payloads	Camera (MOC), laser altimeter (MOLA), thermal spectrometer (TES)
Key Technologies Used	Aerobraking for orbit circularization, long-term orbital mapping

Also, Checkout Sunita Williams’ Missions to the International Space Station

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Mars Global Surveyor Space Mission Global Contributions

• JPL managed; Lockheed Martin built spacecraft played a vital role in building and launching the mission, contributing to its overall success. 
• By implementing Vast dataset publicly available through PDS, NASA enabled real-time data exchange and cooperative research throughout the mission. 
• Mars Global Surveyor demonstrated a strong policy impact by Provided high-resolution global maps, identified landing sites, fostering new partnerships and shaping future governance frameworks. 

Global Collaboration & Strategic Impact
International Partners	N/A
Payload Contributions	N/A
Commercial Involvement	JPL managed; Lockheed Martin built spacecraft
Data Sharing Agreements	Vast dataset publicly available through PDS
Impact on Global Space Policy	Provided high-resolution global maps, identified landing sites

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Challenges & Risk in Mars Global Surveyor Space Mission

One of the most significant technical challenges faced by Mars Global Surveyor was Aerobraking extended due to solar panel issue; later solar panel motor failure, which was successfully mitigated using a combination of onboard automation and ground-based support systems.

• A key risk during Mars Global Surveyor was Solar panel deployment issue during aerobraking, resolved, demanding both ground and onboard system adjustments. 
• The final status of the spacecraft from Mars Global Surveyor — Remains in Mars orbit — reflects NASA’s evolving approach to mission lifecycle management. 

Operational Risks, Environmental Impact & Challenges
Risk & Mitigation Log	Solar panel deployment issue during aerobraking, resolved
Environmental & Sustainability Footprint	Remains in Mars orbit
Challenges Faced	Aerobraking extended due to solar panel issue; later solar panel motor failure

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Mission Timeline of Mars Global Surveyor NASA Space Mission

• NASA initiated formal planning for the mission on Early 1990s. 
• The date September 12, 1997 (Mars orbit insertion) represented a pivotal moment as the mission entered its most critical phase. 
• After months of successful operation, the mission team officially marked January 31, 2001 (Primary); November 2, 2006 (Last contact) as the conclusion of the primary mission. 

Mission Timeline & Key Milestones
Proposal Date	Early 1990s
Critical Design Review (CDR) Date	N/A
Assembly Complete Date	N/A
Launch Date	November 7, 1996
Landing / Flyby Date	September 12, 1997 (Mars orbit insertion)
End of Primary Mission Date	January 31, 2001 (Primary); November 2, 2006 (Last contact)

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UPSC Relevance of Mars Global Surveyor

• Awareness of international space missions, especially NASA’s, is vital for success in the Prelims, given their link to science, technology, and current affairs.
• General Studies Paper 3 includes NASA space missions under science and technology, especially focusing on innovations in space exploration and their global impact.
• Questions in General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics) under the UPSC CSE Exam may reference NASA’s planetary exploration policies to discuss intergenerational responsibility and long-term sustainability ethics.
• NASA Space Missions provide cross-cutting content useful in UPSC optional subjects like PSIR, Geography, and Public Administration by exemplifying governance models, global diplomacy, and spatial data infrastructure.

Also, Learn about International Space Station (ISS)

Past UPCS Mains PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1. Launched on 25th December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor space telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (2022, GS Paper 3) 

Q2. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth? (2017, GS Paper 1)

Q3. The safe landing of the ‘Curiosity’ Rover under NASA’s space programme has sparked many possibilities. What are those and how could humankind benefit from them? (2012, GS Paper 2)

Past UPCS Prelims PYQs on NASA Space Missions

Q1 [2022]: Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in the media?

(a) A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.

(b) A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.

(c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

(d) A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Answer: (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.

Explanation: While this question pertains to a military concept, NASAs research into orbital mechanics and space trajectories contributes to the broader understanding of such technologies.

Q2 [2020]: “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft.” The experiment in question refers to:

(a) Voyager-2

(b) New Horizons

(c) Lisa Pathfinder

(d) Evolved LISA

Answer: (d) Evolved LISA

Explanation: Evolved LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a space-based gravitational wave observatory developed by ESA with contributions from NASA.

Q3 [2017]: What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

(a) To detect neutrinos

(b) To detect gravitational waves

(c) To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system

(d) To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

Answer: (b) To detect gravitational waves

Explanation: Evolved Laser Space Interferometer Space Antenna (ELISA) project was widely in the news due to the discovery of gravitational waves by the LIGO detector and the subsequent success of the LISA pathfinder project. The European Space Agency is leading the ELISA mission. The project is initiated to detect and accurately measure gravitational waves.

Q4 [2016]: What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

(a) Electric plane tested by NASA

(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

(c) Space observatory launched by China

(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

Answer: (a) Electric plane tested by NASA
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Explanation: GL-10 is a remotely piloted plane similar to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is designed and developed in such a way that it can take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane. It is a battery-powered 10-engine with a wingspan of 3.05 meters. Eight electric motors are mounted on the wings. 2 electric motors are mounted on the tail. It weighs a maximum of 28.1 kilograms at takeoff. Due to its versatile vertical takeoff and landing ability, it produces less noise. It can be used as a UAV for small package delivery or vertical takeoff and landing, as well as long-endurance surveillance for agriculture, mapping, and other applications. Its modified scaled-up version can be used as a persons air vehicle.

Q5 [2015]: The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of:

(a) The limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth

(b) Regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available

(c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

(d) Search for meteorites containing precious metals

Answer: (c) Search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

Explanation: The Goldilocks Zone is the livable zone around a star where the temperature is not too hot and not too cold for liquid water to exist on a planet. It is a metaphor for the childrens story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which a young girl selects from sets of three objects, eschewing the extremes (such as those that are enormous or small, hot or cold) and fixing on the one that is just right in the middle. The Goldilocks zone of the Sun surrounds the Earth. All of Earths water would freeze if it were found where the dwarf planet Pluto is; however, all of Earths water would boil out if it were found where Mercury is.

Also, Get to Know What was NASA's Parker Solar Probe Mission

UPSC Practice Questions on NASA Space Missions

Q1. In Feb 2019, NASA announced a new space telescope mission dedicated to understanding the origins of life and the universe. What is the name of the mission?
1. SPACEx
2. SPHEREx
3. LIFEx
4. SUNx
Answer: 2
Solution: NASA announced a new space telescope mission dedicated to understanding the origins of life and the universe. It is called the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer or SPHEREx. The space agency is aiming for a 2023 launch. It will observe and collect data on over 300 million galaxies, some as far as 10 billion light-years away from Earth, and 100 million stars in our own Milky Way, every six months.

Q2. The first space ship sent out of the solar system was:
1. Chandrayan - 2
2. Mangalyan
3. Pioneer - 1
4. Pioneer - 10
Answer: 3
Solution: The first space ship sent out of the solar system was Pioneer - 1. It was launched in October 1958. It was a 38-kilogram spacecraft and was launched into space by NASA. It carried aboard a two-stage rocket namely the Thor-Able I — an early predecessor of the modern Delta rockets. It was lifted off from a launchpad at Kennedy Space Launch Centre.

Q3. The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft. The experiment in question refers to
1. Voyager-2
2. New Horizons
3. LISA Pathfinder
4. Evolved LISA
Answer: 4
Solution: Evolved LISA or eLISA is a laser interferometric gravitational wave observatory in space consisting of three spacecraft positioned in a heliocentric orbit. The spacecraft are arranged in an equilateral triangle formation with arms that span one million kilometers in length. The eLISA mission aims to explore the Gravitational Universe from space for the first time by detecting gravitational waves. It will allow scientists to study cosmic events that produce gravitational waves, such as merging black holes, which are not accessible to observatories on Earth.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Solar Orbiter mission:
1. It will take the closest images of the Sun’s polar region for the first time.
2. It has been jointly launched by the European space agency and NASA.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: 3
Solution: Solar Orbiter's primary mission is to examine the sun's Polar Regions. It will be the first orbiter to take the closest picture of the sun's poles for the first time. Hence, statement 1 is correct. It is a collaborative mission between the European Space Agency and NASA to study the Sun. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Q5. With reference to NISAR Mission, consider the statements:
1. It will conduct a deep space exploration to gather information about the black holes.
2. Synthetic Aperture Radar can penetrate clouds and darkness to collect data.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: 1
Solution: NISAR is a joint Earth-observing mission by NASA and ISRO. NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. The mission aims to develop a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar on an Earth observation satellite and launch the satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre into a near-polar orbit. It will scan the globe every 12 days during its three-year mission and will focus on imaging the Earth’s land and ice sheets to give an extraordinary view of the earth. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Q6. On 4 May 2021, which of the following company launched 60 Starlink Satellites?
1. SpaceX
2. ISRO
3. JAXA
4. CNSA
Answer: 1
Solution: SpaceX launched 60 Starlink Internet satellites from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, U.S.A. Falcon 9 rocket was used for the launch.

Q7. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
1. Tianwen-1 - Japan
2. Hope - USA
3. Mars 2020 - Russian Federation
4. None of the above
Answer: 4
Solution: Tianwen-1 Spacecraft was lifted off on a Long March 5 rocket, from the Wenchang launch centre in July 2020. The lander from Tianwen-1 has touched down on Utopia Planitia, a large plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars. The UAE’s Mars Mission called Hope was announced in 2015 with the aim of creating mankind's first integrated model of the Red planet's atmosphere. Hence, pair 2 is incorrectly matched. The Mars 2020 Mission is designed to better understand the geology of Mars and seek signs of ancient life. Hence, pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

Q8. The Dragon Endeavour is the spacecraft of which space company?
1. Air Launch
2. Space X
3. Kinet X
4. Astra
Answer: 2
Solution: Behnken and Hurley left in a vehicle called Crew Dragon Endeavour. A spaceship designed, built, and operated by SpaceX with about 2.7 billion dollars in government funding. It is SpaceX's second experimental flight of the vehicle, a mission called Demo-2.

Q9. Which space organization has rolled out its massive mega Moon rocket to a launch pad on 17 March 2022 for key tests?
1. China National Space Administration (CNSA)
2. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
3. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
4. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Answer: 4
Solution: NASA rolled out its massive mega Moon rocket to a launch pad on 17 March 2022 for key tests. The 322-foot-tall stack designed to carry out NASA's uncrewed Artemis I mission around the moon and back to Earth is made up of NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that sits atop a mobile launcher. NASA plans to send humans on the moon by 2025.

Q10. Consider the following statements with reference to Artemis I Mission:
1. Artemis I is the first of NASA’s deep space exploration systems.
2. It is an uncrewed space mission where the spacecraft will launch on Space Launch System rocket, the most powerful rocket in the world.
3. With the Artemis Mission, NASA aims to land humans on the moon by 2024.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 4
Solution: Artemis I is the first of NASA’s deep space exploration systems. It is an uncrewed space mission where the spacecraft will launch on Space Launch System rocket, the most powerful rocket in the world and travel 280000 miles from the earth for over four to six weeks during the course of the mission. Hence, statement 2 is correct. With the Artemis Mission, NASA aims to land humans on the moon by 2024, and it also plans to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

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Also, Read about Axiom 4 Mission (Ax-4) for UPSC