Mars Odyssey interplanetary navigation strategy

Abstract

The 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission has returned an orbiter to map the planet and search for water. The success of this mission has reestablished confidence in Mars exploration that will pave the way for future orbiters, landers, adn rovers. The spacecraft has completed its journey and is now in the orbital science-gathering phase of the primary mission, which will continue through August 2004. This paper will describe teh strategy that was designed to safely and accurately navigate the spacecraft to Mars, and also relate the in-flight experience.