The US Space Agency (NASA) Odyssey probe set a new record with the longest Mars exploration mission. As of December 20, Odyssey had been orbiting the Red Planet for more than 3,345 days.
The Odyssey probe hit 3,345 days in orbit around Mars earlier this week (December 20). This achievement surpassed the record for the number of days to orbit the red planet set in 2006 by NASA’s Global Surveyor Mars.
Bob Berry, project manager for the development of the Odyssey probe, told the Daily Mail: “A lot of people involved in the development of the Odyssey probe are not alive, but they will certainly be very proud of the record. just built. “
Launched on April 7, 2001 from Cape Canaveral, Florida (USA), the Odyssey probe, worth $ 300 million, is responsible for searching for evidence of the existence of water, volcanic activity as well as signs of life on Mars.
During nearly 10 years in orbit around Mars, the Odyssey probe returned to Earth more than 21,000 high-resolution images of the red planet. Using these images, scientists can create a fairly complete map of the Martian surface.
The Odyssey probe is also helping scientists detect for the first time layers of frozen water beneath the surface of Mars, map minerals on the surface and measure radiation emitted by the planet in preparation for plans to send humans. on Mars in the future.
