In a groundbreaking move, NASA’s Mars Odyssey spacecraft executed a remarkable sideways maneuver, offering an unprecedented view of Mars’ horizon, complete with clouds. The stunning image, reminiscent of Earth’s vistas from the International Space Station, provides a unique perspective that no Mars spacecraft has ever delivered before.
The Mars Odyssey orbiter, in operation since 2001, has been a vital player in space exploration, contributing significantly to our understanding of the Red Planet. Among its notable achievements are the first detections of subsurface ice on Mars and the creation of a comprehensive global map of the planet’s surface using the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instrument.
Jonathon Hill, Operations Lead for Odyssey’s THEMIS camera at Arizona State University, remarked, “If there were astronauts in orbit over Mars, this is the perspective they would have. No Mars spacecraft has ever had this kind of view before.”
The image, taken from approximately 250 miles above the Martian surface, required meticulous planning and the utilization of the same THEMIS instrument. The spacecraft captured a series of 10 images, revealing Mars’ horizon from beneath the cloud layer, showcasing a level of detail not observed in previous missions.
Jeffrey Plaut, Odyssey’s project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, explained the challenge of capturing this unique image, stating, “I think of it as viewing a cross-section, a slice through the atmosphere. There’s a lot of detail you can’t see from above, which is how THEMIS normally makes these measurements.”
To achieve this remarkable perspective, the spacecraft executed a complex maneuver, rolling onto its side while keeping its solar panels directed toward the sun. This required the spacecraft’s communication antenna to point away from Earth, resulting in a temporary loss of communication during the maneuver.
During this sideways orbit, the Mars Odyssey spacecraft also seized the opportunity to capture images of one of Mars’ two small moons, Phobos, adding another layer of scientific insight to its impressive portfolio of accomplishments.
