Mars Odyssey

NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter mission team celebrated 25 years since the spacecraft's launch on April 7, 2001. The team gathered at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and rolled out a giant global map of Mars created using imagery from Odyssey's THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System) infrared camera.

The celebration took place on April 15, 2026, and included team members past and present. The map showcased the planet's diverse geography, with patches of blue, green, red, and yellow.

The Mars Odyssey orbiter has been instrumental in studying the Martian surface and has provided valuable insights into the planet's geology and climate. The mission has also helped to identify potential landing sites for future Mars missions.

According to NASA, the Mars Odyssey orbiter has been operating for over two decades, making it one of the longest-running Mars missions. The spacecraft has been using its instruments to study the Martian surface, including its geology, climate, and potential biosignatures.

Source: NASA