on of the crust, the development of weathering products, and the early environment and conditions. However, early analysis of the data collected, released at the American Geophysical Union, has revealed that the area upon which the Mars Pathfinder landed consisted of one single material despite the variations in color, shape, and texture (Kerr, 1998). These differences are now believed to have been caused by flood waters, impact, wind, and coats of dust which vary in thickness.
Analysis of the magnetic properties and soil mechanics of the surface may reveal the mineral composition of the rocks in addition to the amount of titanium and iron present in the dust.
The atmospheric studies will determine the temperature and density of the atmosphere during the Entry, Descent, and Landing. On the surface, daily measurements of the pressure, temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric opacity will be recorded. The data can lead to identification of the forces that act on small particles carried by the wind (Science objectives, 1998).
Measurements pertaining to the rotational and orbital dynamics of Mars can be compared to similar data obtained by the Viking mission landers twenty years ago. Calculations determining the moment of inertia can in turn be used to figure the density of Martian rock. As has been done on Earth, information about the makeup of the interior of the planet can be culled from this data (Science objectives, 1998).
The Mars Pathfinder, which has been managed for NASA by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, was launched from Kennedy Space Center at 1:58 Eastern Standard Time on December 4, 1996. Scientists estimated it would take about seven months for the vehicle to complete its trip to Mars. This trip is described as a Type 1 Earth to Mars Transfer Trajectory. Corrections to the trajectory were made at four scheduled times and referred to as ...