Mars Pathfinder Trajectory Data


Summary Tables	Orbital Elements	Trajectory Figures

Earth Vectors	Mars Data	Sun Vectors

The information on Mars and Earth orbits used for this page is taken from the DE403 or DE405 planetary ephemerides developed by the Solar System Dynamics Group at JPL. For more information, see JPL Planetary and Lunar Ephemerides or HORIZONS.

The summary table gives distances and speeds of the spacecraft with respect to the Earth and the Sun. Separate tables give position and velocity vectors for Mars Pathfinder relative to the Earth and the Sun.

Times are listed as calendar dates and clock time in UTC (Greenwich Mean Time) and in Pacific Standard or Daylight Time (PST/PDT), the local time at JPL in Pasadena, CA. Note that UTC is 8 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time and 7 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time. The elapsed time since launch and since landing on Mars are given as a count of integer days plus a clock time showing "hours:minutes:seconds". The Mars data table lists PST/PDT, UTC, and the corresponding local time on Mars at the Pathfinder landing site over the current two weeks.

The one-way light time (OWLT), defined as the amount of time it takes light (or a radio signal) to travel from Earth to the spacecraft, is listed as a clock time showing "hours:minutes:seconds" in the Summary table and in the Earth Vectors table. A graph of one-way light time (in seconds) over the course of the surface mission - July 1997 to July 1998 - can also be found in the Earth data section.

All position and velocity vectors are given in the J2000 inertial reference frame, also known as the Earth Mean Equator and Equinox of 2000 frame or EME2000. Distances are given in km and mi; speed is given in km/sec and mph. Geocentric right ascension and declination coordinates for the spacecraft as seen from Earth are given in degrees (in the Earth Vectors table).

Classical orbital elements for Pathfinder's cruise trajectory are given in both the Earth Mean Equator and Equinox of 2000 and Earth Mean Orbit and Equniox of 2000 coordinate frames. The standard set of 6 elements - semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination, longitude of the ascending node, argument of perhelion, and time of perihelion passage - are given, along with alternate elements and related quantities such as orbital period and mean motion. Note that these apply only to the interplanetary cruise starting from Earth in December 1996 and ending at Mars on July 4, 1997. Since landing, the spacecraft is moving with Mars along its orbit about the Sun.

Plots showing Pathfinder's interplanetary cruise trajectory are also included. These figures show the positions of the spacecraft, Earth, and Mars over the 7 months of flight and at the times of the 4 trajectory correction maneuvers. The current "trajectory" of the lander on Mars is illustrated by a plot showing the positions of Earth and Mars over the current two weeks. Similarly, the nominal and extended missions on the surface are shown by a plot of the positions of Earth and Mars over the months from July 1997 to August 1998. Plots showing the pre-landing estimates of Pathfinder's landing site on Mars are also shown in this section.

Summary tables:

Table of MPF Lander Distances and Speeds

Now that the spacecraft is on the Martian surface, the distances in the table reflect the orbital motions of the Earth and Mars about the Sun. The velocities include components due to Mars's orbital velocity as it revolves around the Sun and its rotational velocity as it spins around its axis every Martian day. Distance to Mars is no longer listed since the spacecraft remains at a fixed radius from the center of the planet (about 3390 km or 2106 mi).

 Launch: 1996 DEC 03 10:58:07 P.M. PST          Mars Landing: 1997 JUL 04 09:58:50 A.M. PDT    
         1996 DEC 04 06:58:07.000 UTC                         1997 JUL 04 16:58:50.000 UTC
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 18 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   234737132.835 km       224129344.147 km
 1997 AUG 18 12:00:00.000 UTC    145858892.092 mi       139267517.788 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +257d 05:01:54.0                      31.351 km/sec          24.492 km/sec
                                     70129.827 mph          54787.893 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +44d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:03.0       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 19 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   235597209.546 km       223934024.682 km
 1997 AUG 19 12:00:00.000 UTC    146393318.984 mi       139146151.899 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +258d 05:01:54.0                      31.503 km/sec          24.480 km/sec
                                     70470.994 mph          54760.380 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +45d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:05.9       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 20 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   236452831.840 km       223738910.098 km
 1997 AUG 20 12:00:00.000 UTC    146924978.028 mi       139024913.318 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +259d 05:01:54.0                      31.652 km/sec          24.470 km/sec
                                     70803.383 mph          54737.773 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +46d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:08.7       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 21 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   237304064.957 km       223544031.835 km
 1997 AUG 21 12:00:00.000 UTC    147453909.765 mi       138903821.579 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +260d 05:01:54.0                      31.798 km/sec          24.463 km/sec
                                     71129.224 mph          54722.070 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +47d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:11.6       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 22 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   238150959.162 km       223349420.232 km
 1997 AUG 22 12:00:00.000 UTC    147980145.427 mi       138782895.535 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +261d 05:01:54.0                      31.941 km/sec          24.460 km/sec
                                     71450.803 mph          54715.077 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +48d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:14.4       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 23 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   238993548.404 km       223155104.169 km
 1997 AUG 23 12:00:00.000 UTC    148503706.109 mi       138662153.131 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +262d 05:01:54.0                      32.084 km/sec          24.461 km/sec
                                     71770.421 mph          54718.353 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +49d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:17.2       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 24 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   239831851.419 km       222961110.755 km
 1997 AUG 24 12:00:00.000 UTC    149024603.453 mi       138541611.212 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +263d 05:01:54.0                      32.227 km/sec          24.468 km/sec
                                     72090.383 mph          54733.161 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +50d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:20.0       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 25 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   240665874.225 km       222767465.063 km
 1997 AUG 25 12:00:00.000 UTC    149542841.198 mi       138421285.358 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +264d 05:01:54.0                      32.371 km/sec          24.480 km/sec
                                     72412.961 mph          54760.431 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +51d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:22.8       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 26 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   241495612.983 km       222574189.930 km
 1997 AUG 26 12:00:00.000 UTC    150058416.959 mi       138301189.758 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +265d 05:01:54.0                      32.518 km/sec          24.498 km/sec
                                     72740.363 mph          54800.729 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +52d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:25.5       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 27 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   242321056.571 km       222381305.816 km
 1997 AUG 27 12:00:00.000 UTC    150571323.825 mi       138181337.126 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +266d 05:01:54.0                      32.667 km/sec          24.522 km/sec
                                     73074.672 mph          54854.240 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +53d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:28.3       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 28 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   243142188.639 km       222188830.732 km
 1997 AUG 28 12:00:00.000 UTC    151081551.638 mi       138061738.654 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +267d 05:01:54.0                      32.821 km/sec          24.552 km/sec
                                     73417.785 mph          54920.764 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +54d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:31.0       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 29 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   243958989.174 km       221996780.243 km
 1997 AUG 29 12:00:00.000 UTC    151589087.960 mi       137942404.013 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +268d 05:01:54.0                      32.979 km/sec          24.587 km/sec
                                     73771.342 mph          54999.717 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +55d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:33.8       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 30 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   244771435.711 km       221805167.541 km
 1997 AUG 30 12:00:00.000 UTC    152093918.833 mi       137823341.399 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +269d 05:01:54.0                      33.142 km/sec          24.628 km/sec
                                     74136.671 mph          55090.155 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +56d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:36.5       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 AUG 31 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   245579504.361 km       221614003.578 km
 1997 AUG 31 12:00:00.000 UTC    152596029.414 mi       137704557.620 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +270d 05:01:54.0                      33.311 km/sec          24.672 km/sec
                                     74514.736 mph          55190.800 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +57d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:39.2       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN
 1997 SEP 01 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   246383170.766 km       221423297.278 km
 1997 SEP 01 12:00:00.000 UTC    153095404.566 mi       137586058.219 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +271d 05:01:54.0                      33.486 km/sec          24.721 km/sec
                                     74906.100 mph          55300.077 mph
 TIME FROM LANDING                ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   +58d 19:01:10.0                    00:13:41.8       
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table of MPF Interplanetary Distances and Speeds

Data in the table are given for the following dates:

UTC noon on December 4, 1996, the first day of January, February, March, April, May, June, and July 1997, and July 2, 3, 4, 1997.

This table also includes the total distance that the spacecraft traveled since its injection onto the interplanetary trajectory from Earth orbit and the remaining distance the spacecraft had to travel until its entry into the Martian atmosphere. This calculation uses a total distance of 497418887 km (309081764 mi) from injection to atmospheric entry.

 Launch: 1996 DEC 03 10:58:07 P.M. PST          Mars Atmospheric Entry: 1997 JUL 04 09:51:49 A.M. PDT    
         1996 DEC 04 06:58:07.000 UTC                                   1997 JUL 04 16:51:49.000 UTC
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1996 DEC 04 05:00:00 A.M. PDT       76352.322 km       147452981.338 km       212619106.237 km
 1996 DEC 04 12:00:00.000 UTC        47443.133 mi        91623034.813 mi       132115387.535 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
    +0d 05:01:53.0                       4.518 km/sec          34.693 km/sec          29.400 km/sec
                                     10106.885 mph          77606.955 mph          65764.961 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
  -212d 04:51:50.0                    00:00:00.3       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                   480680.3196 km                             496938203.6967 km
                                   298680.9032 mi                             308783083.9813 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 JAN 01 05:00:00 A.M. PDT     7706959.630 km       151896995.678 km       165936793.195 km
 1997 JAN 01 12:00:00.000 UTC      4788882.694 mi        94384417.302 mi       103108343.023 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
   +28d 05:01:53.0                       3.058 km/sec          32.583 km/sec          23.180 km/sec
                                      6841.599 mph          72886.028 mph          51852.776 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
  -184d 04:51:50.0                    00:00:25.7       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                 80672714.3509 km                             416746169.6654 km
                                 50127700.6781 mi                             258954064.2064 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 FEB 01 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    17267194.751 km       164374506.532 km       118832961.091 km
 1997 FEB 01 12:00:00.000 UTC     10729337.389 mi       102137583.097 mi        73839378.710 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
   +59d 05:01:53.0                       4.769 km/sec          30.462 km/sec          17.536 km/sec
                                     10667.417 mph          68141.818 mph          39226.499 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
  -153d 04:51:50.0                    00:00:57.6       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                165278197.6703 km                             332140686.3460 km
                                102699110.6980 mi                             206382654.1865 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 MAR 01 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    32784350.534 km       179121650.703 km        83820111.780 km
 1997 MAR 01 12:00:00.000 UTC     20371250.978 mi       111301033.653 mi        52083402.790 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
   +87d 05:01:53.0                       8.349 km/sec          28.195 km/sec          13.217 km/sec
                                     18677.205 mph          63070.270 mph          29564.601 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
  -125d 04:51:50.0                    00:01:49.4       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                236238679.5560 km                             261180204.4603 km
                                146791909.9122 mi                             162289854.9723 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 APR 01 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    60956244.555 km       195985854.012 km        54025510.962 km
 1997 APR 01 12:00:00.000 UTC     37876454.354 mi       121779963.769 mi        33569896.158 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +118d 05:01:53.0                      13.055 km/sec          25.835 km/sec           9.555 km/sec
                                     29202.668 mph          57791.293 mph          21373.291 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   -94d 04:51:50.0                    00:03:23.3       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                308524480.6725 km                             188894403.3438 km
                                191708224.3166 mi                             117373540.5679 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 MAY 01 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    97572203.239 km       210771423.328 km        32669314.410 km
 1997 MAY 01 12:00:00.000 UTC     60628556.256 mi       130967290.603 mi        20299770.845 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +148d 05:01:53.0                      17.671 km/sec          23.926 km/sec           7.131 km/sec
                                     39528.219 mph          53520.401 mph          15951.110 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   -64d 04:51:50.0                    00:05:25.5       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                372924187.1859 km                             124494696.8304 km
                                231724346.7173 mi                              77357418.1672 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 JUN 01 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   141636041.017 km       223251712.327 km        15680215.227 km
 1997 JUN 01 12:00:00.000 UTC     88008555.671 mi       138722182.658 mi         9743234.030 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +179d 05:01:53.0                      22.254 km/sec          22.406 km/sec           5.744 km/sec
                                     49781.247 mph          50121.220 mph          12849.086 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
   -33d 04:51:50.0                    00:07:52.4       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                434867397.6680 km                              62551486.3483 km
                                270214073.2509 mi                              38867691.6336 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 JUL 01 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   186727081.234 km       232033124.590 km         1484906.503 km
 1997 JUL 01 12:00:00.000 UTC    116026829.089 mi       144178699.265 mi          922678.124 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +209d 05:01:54.0                      26.477 km/sec          21.377 km/sec           5.341 km/sec
                                     59228.350 mph          47819.549 mph          11948.158 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
    -3d 04:51:49.0                    00:10:22.9       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                491518873.0642 km                               5900010.9521 km
                                305415668.0464 mi                               3666096.8381 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 JUL 02 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   188232004.283 km       232266459.178 km         1023402.569 km
 1997 JUL 02 12:00:00.000 UTC    116961944.918 mi       144323686.656 mi          635912.874 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +210d 05:01:54.0                      26.620 km/sec          21.350 km/sec           5.342 km/sec
                                     59546.257 mph          47757.672 mph          11950.036 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
    -2d 04:51:49.0                    00:10:27.9       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                493364673.5920 km                               4054210.4243 km
                                306562595.3206 mi                               2519169.5639 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 JUL 03 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   189736059.585 km       232496151.556 km          561674.233 km
 1997 JUL 03 12:00:00.000 UTC    117896521.555 mi       144466410.883 mi          349008.188 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +211d 05:01:54.0                      26.764 km/sec          21.321 km/sec           5.348 km/sec
                                     59870.434 mph          47693.793 mph          11962.215 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
    -1d 04:51:49.0                    00:10:32.9       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                495208059.9743 km                               2210824.0420 km
                                307708022.5143 mi                               1373742.3702 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DATE AND TIME                    DISTANCE TO EARTH    DISTANCE TO SUN         DISTANCE TO MARS
 1997 JUL 04 05:00:00 A.M. PDT   191240387.593 km       232723380.808 km           98391.283 km
 1997 JUL 04 12:00:00.000 UTC    118831267.642 mi       144607604.594 mi           61137.509 mi
 TIME FROM LAUNCH                 GEOCENTRIC VELOCITY  HELIOCENTRIC VELOCITY   AREOCENTRIC VELOCITY
  +212d 05:01:54.0                      26.956 km/sec          21.271 km/sec           5.414 km/sec
                                     60299.523 mph          47582.279 mph          12110.576 mph
 TIME TO MARS                     ONE-WAY LIGHT TIME
    +0d 04:51:49.0                    00:10:37.9       
                                  DISTANCE TRAVELED SINCE INJECTION          DISTANCE TO MARS ARRIVAL
                                497048598.2322 km                                370285.7841 km
                                308851679.9655 mi                                230084.9190 mi
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table of Earth-relative positions and velocities
Plot of One-way Light Time for Surface Mission

MPF Position and Velocity with respect to the Earth

Note that the right ascension and declination given in this table simply reflects the position of Mars as seen from Earth and does not take into account the daily rotation of both planets. Values are listed regardless of whether the spacecraft is on the other side of Mars as seen from Earth at each time and do not imply that the spacecraft would actually be visible at that time.

 Launch: 1996 DEC 03 10:58:07 P.M. PST          Mars Landing: 1997 JUL 04 09:58:50 A.M. PDT    
         1996 DEC 04 06:58:07.000 UTC                         1997 JUL 04 16:58:50.000 UTC
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 18 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +257d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +44d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -197748397.939 Y =  -114964187.299 Z =   -52728818.333 km Distance =   234737132.835 km
 X =  -122875157.790 Y =   -71435434.126 Z =   -32764168.713 mi Distance =   145858892.092 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =           7.407 Y =         -27.675 Z =         -12.733 km/sec Speed =          31.351 km/sec
 X =       16568.910 Y =      -61906.127 Z =      -28483.244 mph    Speed =       70129.827 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -149.828 deg
            Declination     =  -12.981 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:03.0          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 19 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +258d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +45d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -197079108.332 Y =  -117340013.442 Z =   -53825565.027 km Distance =   235597209.546 km
 X =  -122459280.510 Y =   -72911704.049 Z =   -33445655.514 mi Distance =   146393318.984 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =           7.865 Y =         -27.721 Z =         -12.734 km/sec Speed =          31.503 km/sec
 X =       17593.658 Y =      -62009.626 Z =      -28485.618 mph    Speed =       70470.994 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -149.231 deg
            Declination     =  -13.207 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:05.9          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 20 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +259d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +46d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -196367708.955 Y =  -119720529.708 Z =   -54924123.400 km Distance =   236452831.840 km
 X =  -122017237.430 Y =   -74390888.280 Z =   -34128268.040 mi Distance =   146924978.028 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =           8.329 Y =         -27.756 Z =         -12.732 km/sec Speed =          31.652 km/sec
 X =       18631.077 Y =      -62087.904 Z =      -28479.716 mph    Speed =       70803.383 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -148.630 deg
            Declination     =  -13.432 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:08.7          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 21 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +260d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +47d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -195613977.097 Y =  -122105184.539 Z =   -56024236.878 km Distance =   237304064.957 km
 X =  -121548890.167 Y =   -75872644.096 Z =   -34811846.863 mi Distance =   147453909.765 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =           8.799 Y =         -27.780 Z =         -12.726 km/sec Speed =          31.798 km/sec
 X =       19682.820 Y =      -62141.764 Z =      -28466.724 mph    Speed =       71129.224 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -148.027 deg
            Declination     =  -13.656 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:11.6          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 22 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +261d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +48d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -194817680.798 Y =  -124493418.534 Z =   -57125645.202 km Distance =   238150959.162 km
 X =  -121054094.586 Y =   -77356623.900 Z =   -35496230.267 mi Distance =   147980145.427 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =           9.276 Y =         -27.793 Z =         -12.717 km/sec Speed =          31.941 km/sec
 X =       20750.293 Y =      -62172.073 Z =      -28447.774 mph    Speed =       71450.803 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -147.420 deg
            Declination     =  -13.879 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:14.4          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 23 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +262d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +49d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -193978581.719 Y =  -126884658.009 Z =   -58228082.356 km Distance =   238993548.404 km
 X =  -120532702.591 Y =   -78842471.224 Z =   -36181252.955 mi Distance =   148503706.109 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =           9.761 Y =         -27.797 Z =         -12.707 km/sec Speed =          32.084 km/sec
 X =       21834.553 Y =      -62179.785 Z =      -28423.934 mph    Speed =       71770.421 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -146.811 deg
            Declination     =  -14.101 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:17.2          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 24 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +263d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +50d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -193096439.831 Y =  -129278310.856 Z =   -59331275.242 km Distance =   239831851.419 km
 X =  -119984565.035 Y =   -80329818.147 Z =   -36866745.234 mi Distance =   149024603.453 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          10.253 Y =         -27.791 Z =         -12.694 km/sec Speed =          32.227 km/sec
 X =       22936.258 Y =      -62165.967 Z =      -28396.195 mph    Speed =       72090.383 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -146.198 deg
            Declination     =  -14.323 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:20.0          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 25 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +264d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +51d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -192171018.439 Y =  -131673764.791 Z =   -60434943.156 km Distance =   240665874.225 km
 X =  -119409534.841 Y =   -81818284.215 Z =   -37552532.681 mi Distance =   149542841.198 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          10.754 Y =         -27.775 Z =         -12.680 km/sec Speed =          32.371 km/sec
 X =       24055.660 Y =      -62131.817 Z =      -28365.462 mph    Speed =       72412.961 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -145.581 deg
            Declination     =  -14.544 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:22.8          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 26 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +265d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +52d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -191202088.547 Y =  -134070387.410 Z =   -61538797.885 km Distance =   241495612.983 km
 X =  -118807469.718 Y =   -83307476.469 Z =   -38238436.210 mi Distance =   150058416.959 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          11.262 Y =         -27.752 Z =         -12.666 km/sec Speed =          32.518 km/sec
 X =       25192.616 Y =      -62078.658 Z =      -28332.536 mph    Speed =       72740.363 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -144.962 deg
            Declination     =  -14.763 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:25.5          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 27 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +266d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +53d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -190189432.174 Y =  -136467527.293 Z =   -62642544.180 km Distance =   242321056.571 km
 X =  -118178234.221 Y =   -84796990.136 Z =   -38924272.362 mi Distance =   150571323.825 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          11.778 Y =         -27.720 Z =         -12.650 km/sec Speed =          32.667 km/sec
 X =       26346.615 Y =      -62007.911 Z =      -28298.101 mph    Speed =       73074.672 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -144.339 deg
            Declination     =  -14.982 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:28.3          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 28 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +267d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +54d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -189132844.700 Y =  -138864515.567 Z =   -63745880.403 km Distance =   243142188.639 km
 X =  -117521701.202 Y =   -86286409.598 Z =   -39609853.706 mi Distance =   151081551.638 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          12.301 Y =         -27.681 Z =         -12.635 km/sec Speed =          32.821 km/sec
 X =       27516.803 Y =      -61921.050 Z =      -28262.699 mph    Speed =       73417.785 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -143.713 deg
            Declination     =  -15.199 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:31.0          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 29 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +268d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +55d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -188032136.470 Y =  -141260667.570 Z =   -64848499.220 km Distance =   243958989.174 km
 X =  -116837752.817 Y =   -87775309.424 Z =   -40294989.275 mi Distance =   151589087.960 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          12.831 Y =         -27.636 Z =         -12.618 km/sec Speed =          32.979 km/sec
 X =       28702.013 Y =      -61819.558 Z =      -28226.717 mph    Speed =       73771.342 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -143.084 deg
            Declination     =  -15.416 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:33.8          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 30 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +269d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +56d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -186887133.945 Y =  -143655284.481 Z =   -65950088.297 km Distance =   244771435.711 km
 X =  -116126281.233 Y =   -89263255.389 Z =   -40979484.993 mi Distance =   152093918.833 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          13.367 Y =         -27.585 Z =         -12.602 km/sec Speed =          33.142 km/sec
 X =       29900.793 Y =      -61704.874 Z =      -28190.373 mph    Speed =       74136.671 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -142.451 deg
            Declination     =  -15.631 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:36.5          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 31 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +270d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +57d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -185697680.577 Y =  -146047654.915 Z =   -67050330.978 km Distance =   245579504.361 km
 X =  -115387189.176 Y =   -90749805.458 Z =   -41663144.099 mi Distance =   152596029.414 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          13.908 Y =         -27.528 Z =         -12.586 km/sec Speed =          33.311 km/sec
 X =       31111.435 Y =      -61578.353 Z =      -28153.703 mph    Speed =       74514.736 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -141.816 deg
            Declination     =  -15.845 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:39.2          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 SEP 01 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +271d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +58d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Earth to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =  -184463637.524 Y =  -148437056.520 Z =   -68148906.961 km Distance =   246383170.766 km
 X =  -114620390.372 Y =   -92234510.782 Z =   -42345767.568 mi Distance =   153095404.566 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Earth in J2000 frame:
 X =          14.454 Y =         -27.467 Z =         -12.569 km/sec Speed =          33.486 km/sec
 X =       32332.011 Y =      -61441.221 Z =      -28116.565 mph    Speed =       74906.100 mph
 Geocentric Right Ascension = -141.177 deg
            Declination     =  -16.057 deg
 One-way light time: 00:13:41.8          
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This graph shows the one-way light time for Mars Pathfinder during its nominal and (potential) extended surface missions, starting in July of 1997 and ending in July of 1998. Notice that the value is increasing over the duration of the mission, indicating that Earth and Mars are moving farther apart as they travel along their respective orbits. The curve flattens out near the end of this period; the orbital motions of the 2 planets would begin to move them closer together after this time. If the curve were extended, light time values would begin to decrease. (See the trajectory plot for MPF surface mission for the locations of Earth and Mars on their orbits during this period.)

MPF Lander Mars Local Times

  PST/PDT = local time in Pasadena, CA (on Earth)

  UTC = Universal Coordinated Time, roughly local time
        in Greenwich, England (on Earth)

  1 SOL = 1 Martian day, roughly 24 hours 38 minutes
          (SOL = SOLar day)

  SOLs are measured starting at the Mars local midnight immediately
  preceding Pathfinder landing on July 4, 1997. The integer following
  the term "SOL" in the Mars Local Solar Time column is a count
  of the Martian days that have elapsed since landing.

  LTST = Local True Solar Time on Mars, a measure of the position of
         the Sun in the sky over the Pathfinder landing site. This
         table assumes a landing site at 19.28 degrees N latitude,
         326.48 degrees E longitude. This time is given in Mars hours,
         Mars minutes, and Mars seconds. In other words, 1 Martian day
         has 24 Martian hours, 1 Martian hour has 60 Martian minutes,
         1 Martian minute has 60 Martian seconds. Since a Mars day is
         longer than 24 Earth hours, Mars hours, minutes, and seconds
         are correspondlingly longer than their Earth counterparts.
         On average:
             1 Mars second = 1.0275 Earth seconds
             1 Mars minute = 1 Earth minute, 1.65 Earth seconds
             1 Mars hour   = 1 Earth hour, 1 Earth minute, 39 Earth seconds

  Longitude of the Sun  = A measure of Mars' position along its orbit, 
  (LSUN)                  given in degrees. This is used to determine the 
                          seasons of the year for Mars. The Martian year 
                          is 687 days long. Here's a summary of the seasons 
                          over the duration of Pathfinder's mission:
         
          Date                    Event         Season           LSUN
         -------------------------------------------------------------
         August 26, 1996     Vernal Equinox   Northern Spring       0
                                              Southern Fall
         March 13, 1997      Summer Solstice  Northerm Summer      90
                                              Southern Winter
         September 12, 1997  Autumnal Equinox Northern Fall       180
                                              Southern Spring
         February 6, 1998    Winter Solstice  Northern Winter     270
                                              Southern Summer
         July 14, 1998       Vernal Equinox   Northern Spring       0 (360)
                                              Southern Fall
         January 29, 1999    Summer Solstice  Northern Summer      90
                                              Southern Winter
         -------------------------------------------------------------
         Pathfinder landed in the northern hemisphere so it is now
         late summer at the landing site.      
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Pacific Standard/Daylight Time   Universal Coordinated Time  Mars Local Solar Time   Mars Longitude of Sun
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 18 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 18 12:00:00.000    SOL 44 17:22:37 LTST     167.283 deg
 1997 AUG 18 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 18 16:00:00.000    SOL 44 21:16:13 LTST     167.365 deg
          
 1997 AUG 18 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 18 20:00:00.000    SOL 45 01:09:49 LTST     167.448 deg
 1997 AUG 18 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 19 00:00:00.000    SOL 45 05:03:25 LTST     167.530 deg
 1997 AUG 18 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 19 04:00:00.000    SOL 45 08:57:01 LTST     167.612 deg
 1997 AUG 19 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 19 08:00:00.000    SOL 45 12:50:37 LTST     167.695 deg
 1997 AUG 19 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 19 12:00:00.000    SOL 45 16:44:13 LTST     167.777 deg
 1997 AUG 19 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 19 16:00:00.000    SOL 45 20:37:49 LTST     167.859 deg
          
 1997 AUG 19 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 19 20:00:00.000    SOL 46 00:31:25 LTST     167.942 deg
 1997 AUG 19 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 20 00:00:00.000    SOL 46 04:25:01 LTST     168.024 deg
 1997 AUG 19 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 20 04:00:00.000    SOL 46 08:18:36 LTST     168.106 deg
 1997 AUG 20 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 20 08:00:00.000    SOL 46 12:12:12 LTST     168.189 deg
 1997 AUG 20 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 20 12:00:00.000    SOL 46 16:05:48 LTST     168.271 deg
 1997 AUG 20 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 20 16:00:00.000    SOL 46 19:59:24 LTST     168.354 deg
 1997 AUG 20 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 20 20:00:00.000    SOL 46 23:53:00 LTST     168.436 deg
          
 1997 AUG 20 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 21 00:00:00.000    SOL 47 03:46:36 LTST     168.519 deg
 1997 AUG 20 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 21 04:00:00.000    SOL 47 07:40:12 LTST     168.601 deg
 1997 AUG 21 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 21 08:00:00.000    SOL 47 11:33:48 LTST     168.683 deg
 1997 AUG 21 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 21 12:00:00.000    SOL 47 15:27:24 LTST     168.766 deg
 1997 AUG 21 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 21 16:00:00.000    SOL 47 19:20:59 LTST     168.848 deg
 1997 AUG 21 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 21 20:00:00.000    SOL 47 23:14:35 LTST     168.931 deg
          
 1997 AUG 21 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 22 00:00:00.000    SOL 48 03:08:11 LTST     169.014 deg
 1997 AUG 21 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 22 04:00:00.000    SOL 48 07:01:47 LTST     169.096 deg
 1997 AUG 22 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 22 08:00:00.000    SOL 48 10:55:23 LTST     169.179 deg
 1997 AUG 22 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 22 12:00:00.000    SOL 48 14:48:59 LTST     169.261 deg
 1997 AUG 22 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 22 16:00:00.000    SOL 48 18:42:35 LTST     169.344 deg
 1997 AUG 22 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 22 20:00:00.000    SOL 48 22:36:11 LTST     169.426 deg
          
 1997 AUG 22 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 23 00:00:00.000    SOL 49 02:29:46 LTST     169.509 deg
 1997 AUG 22 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 23 04:00:00.000    SOL 49 06:23:22 LTST     169.592 deg
 1997 AUG 23 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 23 08:00:00.000    SOL 49 10:16:58 LTST     169.674 deg
 1997 AUG 23 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 23 12:00:00.000    SOL 49 14:10:34 LTST     169.757 deg
 1997 AUG 23 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 23 16:00:00.000    SOL 49 18:04:10 LTST     169.840 deg
 1997 AUG 23 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 23 20:00:00.000    SOL 49 21:57:46 LTST     169.922 deg
          
 1997 AUG 23 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 24 00:00:00.000    SOL 50 01:51:21 LTST     170.005 deg
 1997 AUG 23 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 24 04:00:00.000    SOL 50 05:44:57 LTST     170.088 deg
 1997 AUG 24 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 24 08:00:00.000    SOL 50 09:38:33 LTST     170.170 deg
 1997 AUG 24 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 24 12:00:00.000    SOL 50 13:32:09 LTST     170.253 deg
 1997 AUG 24 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 24 16:00:00.000    SOL 50 17:25:45 LTST     170.336 deg
 1997 AUG 24 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 24 20:00:00.000    SOL 50 21:19:21 LTST     170.419 deg
          
 1997 AUG 24 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 25 00:00:00.000    SOL 51 01:12:56 LTST     170.502 deg
 1997 AUG 24 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 25 04:00:00.000    SOL 51 05:06:32 LTST     170.584 deg
 1997 AUG 25 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 25 08:00:00.000    SOL 51 09:00:08 LTST     170.667 deg
 1997 AUG 25 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 25 12:00:00.000    SOL 51 12:53:44 LTST     170.750 deg
 1997 AUG 25 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 25 16:00:00.000    SOL 51 16:47:20 LTST     170.833 deg
 1997 AUG 25 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 25 20:00:00.000    SOL 51 20:40:55 LTST     170.916 deg
          
 1997 AUG 25 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 26 00:00:00.000    SOL 52 00:34:31 LTST     170.999 deg
 1997 AUG 25 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 26 04:00:00.000    SOL 52 04:28:07 LTST     171.082 deg
 1997 AUG 26 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 26 08:00:00.000    SOL 52 08:21:43 LTST     171.165 deg
 1997 AUG 26 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 26 12:00:00.000    SOL 52 12:15:18 LTST     171.247 deg
 1997 AUG 26 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 26 16:00:00.000    SOL 52 16:08:54 LTST     171.330 deg
 1997 AUG 26 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 26 20:00:00.000    SOL 52 20:02:30 LTST     171.413 deg
 1997 AUG 26 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 27 00:00:00.000    SOL 52 23:56:06 LTST     171.496 deg
          
 1997 AUG 26 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 27 04:00:00.000    SOL 53 03:49:41 LTST     171.579 deg
 1997 AUG 27 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 27 08:00:00.000    SOL 53 07:43:17 LTST     171.662 deg
 1997 AUG 27 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 27 12:00:00.000    SOL 53 11:36:53 LTST     171.745 deg
 1997 AUG 27 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 27 16:00:00.000    SOL 53 15:30:29 LTST     171.828 deg
 1997 AUG 27 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 27 20:00:00.000    SOL 53 19:24:04 LTST     171.912 deg
 1997 AUG 27 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 28 00:00:00.000    SOL 53 23:17:40 LTST     171.995 deg
          
 1997 AUG 27 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 28 04:00:00.000    SOL 54 03:11:16 LTST     172.078 deg
 1997 AUG 28 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 28 08:00:00.000    SOL 54 07:04:52 LTST     172.161 deg
 1997 AUG 28 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 28 12:00:00.000    SOL 54 10:58:27 LTST     172.244 deg
 1997 AUG 28 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 28 16:00:00.000    SOL 54 14:52:03 LTST     172.327 deg
 1997 AUG 28 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 28 20:00:00.000    SOL 54 18:45:39 LTST     172.410 deg
 1997 AUG 28 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 29 00:00:00.000    SOL 54 22:39:15 LTST     172.494 deg
          
 1997 AUG 28 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 29 04:00:00.000    SOL 55 02:32:50 LTST     172.577 deg
 1997 AUG 29 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 29 08:00:00.000    SOL 55 06:26:26 LTST     172.660 deg
 1997 AUG 29 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 29 12:00:00.000    SOL 55 10:20:02 LTST     172.743 deg
 1997 AUG 29 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 29 16:00:00.000    SOL 55 14:13:37 LTST     172.826 deg
 1997 AUG 29 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 29 20:00:00.000    SOL 55 18:07:13 LTST     172.910 deg
 1997 AUG 29 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 30 00:00:00.000    SOL 55 22:00:49 LTST     172.993 deg
          
 1997 AUG 29 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 30 04:00:00.000    SOL 56 01:54:24 LTST     173.076 deg
 1997 AUG 30 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 30 08:00:00.000    SOL 56 05:48:00 LTST     173.160 deg
 1997 AUG 30 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 30 12:00:00.000    SOL 56 09:41:36 LTST     173.243 deg
 1997 AUG 30 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 30 16:00:00.000    SOL 56 13:35:11 LTST     173.326 deg
 1997 AUG 30 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 30 20:00:00.000    SOL 56 17:28:47 LTST     173.410 deg
 1997 AUG 30 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 31 00:00:00.000    SOL 56 21:22:23 LTST     173.493 deg
          
 1997 AUG 30 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 31 04:00:00.000    SOL 57 01:15:58 LTST     173.577 deg
 1997 AUG 31 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 31 08:00:00.000    SOL 57 05:09:34 LTST     173.660 deg
 1997 AUG 31 05:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 31 12:00:00.000    SOL 57 09:03:10 LTST     173.743 deg
 1997 AUG 31 09:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 AUG 31 16:00:00.000    SOL 57 12:56:45 LTST     173.827 deg
 1997 AUG 31 01:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 AUG 31 20:00:00.000    SOL 57 16:50:21 LTST     173.910 deg
 1997 AUG 31 05:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 SEP 01 00:00:00.000    SOL 57 20:43:57 LTST     173.994 deg
          
 1997 AUG 31 09:00:00 P.M. PDT    1997 SEP 01 04:00:00.000    SOL 58 00:37:32 LTST     174.077 deg
 1997 SEP 01 01:00:00 A.M. PDT    1997 SEP 01 08:00:00.000    SOL 58 04:31:08 LTST     174.161 deg
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE:To my knowledge, there is no generally accepted calendar scheme for Mars, i.e. no division of the year into months or each month into some number of "SOLs". Since there is no consensus, I have chosen only to display the longitude of the Sun as an indication of the season of the year. Many of you have sent me information on proposed calendar schemes for Mars. While I enjoy reading these, I simply don't have time to add all of these to this web page or to try to make up a system of my own. So you're free to continue dreaming up your own ideal system until there are enough real Mars missions that the scientific and technical community adopts one :-) And while you're at it, how about tackling Jupiter, Saturn, ...

FYI, I've added links to these other sites on Mars time and calendar system:

MPF realtime clock courtesy of Jim Scarborough in Huntsville, AL. Jim advises: "It maybe off by a couple of hours because you're in a different time zone or because you're running a different web browser than the one it was tested with, but it does work on Netscape Communicator 4 in the Central time zone. It stretches the seconds to calculate Mars local time, and the math is based on the time table given above." (NOTE: I couldn't find the Mars clock at this link when I checked recently. It's probably still there somewhere, but I didn't have time to find out where it moved to.)
Another MPF clock courtesy of Randall S. Bohn
A WORD OF WARNING: Both of these were several hours off from the mission clock running here at JPL for Mars Pathfinder when I checked them. That could be a problem with my web browser or a problem with their calculations.
A proposed Mars calendar and associated information is located at:
http://nova.stanford.edu/~frankb/seasons.html
and the calendar itself is at:
http://nova.stanford.edu/~frankb/cal.html
(contributed by David Levine of ActionWorld, Inc

Another calendar proposal from Tom Gangale:

The calandar begins on the Martian vernal equinox.  The Martian year 0 began
on the vernal equinox prior to the landing of Viking 1.  The current Martian
year is 11.  There are 24 Martian months, named for the ecliptic
constellations, 12 with Latin names and 12 with Hindi names.  The Martian
vernal equinox occurs when the Sun is in Sagittarius, and that is the name
of the first month.  The Pathfinder landing occurred on 18 Taurus, and the
current date (17 July) is 3 Vrisha.  Generally, the Martian months contain
28 sols which, being exactly four weeks, allows each month to begin on Dies
Solis, the Martian analog of our Sunday.  The 6th, 12, and 18th months have
only 27 sols, and the 24th month can have either 27 or 28 sols as needed for
intercalation (668.6 sols to a Martian year). The last week of these
shortened months end on Dies Veneris, the Martian analog of our Friday, and
since the next month must begin on Dies Solis, Dies Saturni, the Martian
Saturday, is skipped over.  Not to worry... the first and last sol of each
month are always holisols, so we always get a two-sol weekend.  In the case
of a six-sol week, we have just a four-sol work week.  It's been pointed out
to me that my system guarantees the Martian equivalent of Friday the 13th
every month.

You can get more details on this at his Martian calendar web site.

Some more references pointed out by Richard Clark:

      Martian Standard Time by T Gangale, JBIS, June 1986
      Actually it is mainly a calendar that he discusses.

      The Lost Calendars of Mars by T Gangale, Spaceflight, July 1988
      Discusses calendars that have been suggested including the next three.
      (this is the same Tom Gangale as listed the previous item)

      Mars Clock and Calendar by I Levitt, Sky & Telescope, May 1954
      Calendar scheme is proposed, mechanical clock with dials for Martian and
      Greenwitch time, Martian and Gregorian date is illustrated. We'd need a
      computer to do something like that today!

      The Greening of Mars by Lovelock and Allaby, 1984

      Exploring Mars by R Richardson, 1954

(NOTE: I haven't had time to check out these references - no guarantees on their quality.)

And just for fun, here's a poem on Mars' month contributed by Tony Taylor (a fellow interplanetary navigator here at JPL):

          Mars Months

     Fifty-five sols hath September,
     April, June, and November;
     Fifty-six have all the rest,
     Including February, subject to test:
     Fifty-six sols comprise the norm,
     But each fifth rev, three more's the form.

MPF Position and Velocity with respect to Sun

 Launch: 1996 DEC 03 10:58:07 P.M. PST          Mars Landing: 1997 JUL 04 09:58:50 A.M. PDT    
         1996 DEC 04 06:58:07.000 UTC                         1997 JUL 04 16:58:50.000 UTC
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 18 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +257d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +44d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -72795175.189 Y =  -193417763.239 Z =   -86743266.256 km Distance =   224129344.147 km
 X =   -45232824.796 Y =  -120184226.144 Z =   -53899766.772 mi Distance =   139267517.788 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          23.738 Y =          -5.232 Z =          -3.002 km/sec Speed =          24.492 km/sec
 X =       53100.396 Y =      -11703.649 Z =       -6714.593 mph    Speed =       54787.893 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 19 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +258d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +45d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -70732660.623 Y =  -193843515.218 Z =   -86994423.612 km Distance =   223934024.682 km
 X =   -43951237.662 Y =  -120448776.158 Z =   -54055828.718 mi Distance =   139146151.899 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          23.784 Y =          -5.024 Z =          -2.892 km/sec Speed =          24.480 km/sec
 X =       53203.001 Y =      -11237.515 Z =       -6469.793 mph    Speed =       54760.380 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 20 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +259d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +46d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -68663847.717 Y =  -194252195.357 Z =   -87237953.367 km Distance =   223738910.098 km
 X =   -42665736.920 Y =  -120702718.223 Z =   -54207151.092 mi Distance =   139024913.318 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          23.831 Y =          -4.810 Z =          -2.782 km/sec Speed =          24.470 km/sec
 X =       53308.161 Y =      -10758.573 Z =       -6222.293 mph    Speed =       54737.773 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 21 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +260d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +47d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -66588910.706 Y =  -194643733.111 Z =   -87473814.945 km Distance =   223544031.835 km
 X =   -41376430.835 Y =  -120946008.504 Z =   -54353708.682 mi Distance =   138903821.579 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          23.880 Y =          -4.590 Z =          -2.670 km/sec Speed =          24.463 km/sec
 X =       53417.206 Y =      -10267.741 Z =       -5973.322 mph    Speed =       54722.070 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 22 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +261d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +48d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -64508026.548 Y =  -195018058.144 Z =   -87701967.063 km Distance =   223349420.232 km
 X =   -40083429.365 Y =  -121178603.297 Z =   -54495475.835 mi Distance =   138782895.535 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          23.931 Y =          -4.366 Z =          -2.559 km/sec Speed =          24.460 km/sec
 X =       53531.260 Y =       -9766.182 Z =       -5724.121 mph    Speed =       54715.077 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 23 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +262d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +49d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -62421374.696 Y =  -195375100.121 Z =   -87922367.750 km Distance =   223155104.169 km
 X =   -38786844.016 Y =  -121400458.895 Z =   -54632426.473 mi Distance =   138662153.131 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          23.984 Y =          -4.137 Z =          -2.448 km/sec Speed =          24.461 km/sec
 X =       53651.210 Y =       -9255.282 Z =       -5475.910 mph    Speed =       54718.353 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 24 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +263d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +50d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -60329136.845 Y =  -195714788.521 Z =   -88134974.391 km Distance =   222961110.755 km
 X =   -37486787.688 Y =  -121611531.482 Z =   -54764534.115 mi Distance =   138541611.212 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.041 Y =          -3.906 Z =          -2.338 km/sec Speed =          24.468 km/sec
 X =       53777.683 Y =       -8736.611 Z =       -5229.858 mph    Speed =       54733.161 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 25 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +264d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +51d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -58231496.651 Y =  -196037052.499 Z =   -88339743.807 km Distance =   222767465.063 km
 X =   -36183374.500 Y =  -121811777.034 Z =   -54891771.931 mi Distance =   138421285.358 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.100 Y =          -3.671 Z =          -2.229 km/sec Speed =          24.480 km/sec
 X =       53911.029 Y =       -8211.885 Z =       -4987.052 mph    Speed =       54760.431 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 26 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +265d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +52d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -56128639.446 Y =  -196341820.783 Z =   -88536632.355 km Distance =   222574189.930 km
 X =   -34876719.611 Y =  -122001151.266 Z =   -55014112.803 mi Distance =   138301189.758 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.163 Y =          -3.435 Z =          -2.123 km/sec Speed =          24.498 km/sec
 X =       54051.314 Y =       -7682.924 Z =       -4748.476 mph    Speed =       54800.729 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 27 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +266d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +53d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -54020751.938 Y =  -196629021.610 Z =   -88725596.065 km Distance =   222381305.816 km
 X =   -33566939.037 Y =  -122179609.586 Z =   -55131529.409 mi Distance =   138181337.126 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.229 Y =          -3.197 Z =          -2.018 km/sec Speed =          24.522 km/sec
 X =       54198.313 Y =       -7151.609 Z =       -4514.977 mph    Speed =       54854.240 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 28 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +267d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +54d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -51908021.915 Y =  -196898582.720 Z =   -88906590.788 km Distance =   222188830.732 km
 X =   -32254149.464 Y =  -122347107.095 Z =   -55243994.316 mi Distance =   138061738.654 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.297 Y =          -2.959 Z =          -1.917 km/sec Speed =          24.552 km/sec
 X =       54351.519 Y =       -6619.831 Z =       -4287.255 mph    Speed =       54920.764 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 29 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +268d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +55d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -49790637.959 Y =  -197150431.387 Z =   -89079572.372 km Distance =   221996780.243 km
 X =   -30938468.071 Y =  -122503598.601 Z =   -55351480.089 mi Distance =   137942404.013 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.368 Y =          -2.722 Z =          -1.818 km/sec Speed =          24.587 km/sec
 X =       54510.150 Y =       -6089.450 Z =       -4065.836 mph    Speed =       54999.717 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 30 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +269d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +56d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -47668789.173 Y =  -197384494.499 Z =   -89244496.851 km Distance =   221805167.541 km
 X =   -29620012.361 Y =  -122649038.676 Z =   -55453959.409 mi Distance =   137823341.399 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.441 Y =          -2.487 Z =          -1.722 km/sec Speed =          24.628 km/sec
 X =       54673.174 Y =       -5562.244 Z =       -3851.066 mph    Speed =       55090.155 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 AUG 31 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +270d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +57d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -45542664.928 Y =  -197600698.686 Z =   -89401320.639 km Distance =   221614003.578 km
 X =   -28298900.004 Y =  -122783381.730 Z =   -55551405.193 mi Distance =   137704557.620 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.515 Y =          -2.253 Z =          -1.629 km/sec Speed =          24.672 km/sec
 X =       54839.329 Y =       -5039.865 Z =       -3643.097 mph    Speed =       55190.800 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1997 SEP 01 12:00:00.000 UTC  Time from launch:  +271d 05:01:54.0 Time from landing:   +58d 19:01:10.0
 Position Vector from Sun to MPF in J2000 frame:
 X =   -43412454.639 Y =  -197798970.491 Z =   -89550000.741 km Distance =   221423297.278 km
 X =   -26975248.697 Y =  -122906582.117 Z =   -55643790.726 mi Distance =   137586058.219 mi
 Velocity Vector for MPF relative to Sun in J2000 frame:
 X =          24.590 Y =          -2.022 Z =          -1.539 km/sec Speed =          24.721 km/sec
 X =       55007.155 Y =       -4523.805 Z =       -3441.890 mph    Speed =       55300.077 mph
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Osculating Orbital Elements for Mars Pathfinder

Note that these apply only to the interplanetary cruise starting from Earth in December 1996 and ending at Mars on July 4, 1997. Since landing, the spacecraft is moving with Mars along its orbit about the Sun.

 ===========================================================================
 HELIOCENTRIC ORBIT - EARTH MEAN EQUATOR AND EQUINOX OF J2000 FRAME
 ===========================================================================
 Epoch of Osculating Orbital Elements
 1997 MAR 01 00:00:00.000 UTC   JD    2450508.5000
 1997 MAR 01 00:01:02.185 ET    JD    2450508.5007
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Semi-major axis                         193216365.381 km
                                         120059083.317 mi
                                         1.29157162792 AU
 Eccentricity                                  .236386
 Inclination                             23.455 degrees
 Longitude of Ascending Node               .258 degrees
 Argument of Perihelion                  71.347 degrees
 Time from Perihelion Passage              7566837.201 sec

 Orbital Period                                536.137 days
 Mean Motion                             .77716384E-05 degrees/sec

 True Anomaly at Epoch                   85.152 degrees
 Mean Anomaly at Epoch                   58.807 degrees
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ===========================================================================
 HELIOCENTRIC ORBIT - EARTH MEAN ORBIT AND EQUINOX OF J2000 FRAME
 ===========================================================================
 Epoch of Osculating Orbital Elements
 1997 MAR 01 00:00:00.000 UTC   JD    2450508.5000
 1997 MAR 01 00:01:02.185 ET    JD    2450508.5007
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Semi-major axis                         193216365.381 km
                                         120059083.317 mi
                                         1.29157162792 AU
 Eccentricity                                  .236386
 Inclination                               .104 degrees
 Longitude of Ascending Node             81.221 degrees
 Argument of Perihelion                  -9.638 degrees
 Time from Perihelion Passage              7566837.201 sec

 Orbital Period                                536.137 days
 Mean Motion                             .77716384E-05 degrees/sec

 True Anomaly at Epoch                   85.152 degrees
 Mean Anomaly at Epoch                   58.807 degrees
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revision date: 16 August 1997

Send comments or suggestions to:

Robin Vaughan (rvaughan@mpfnav2.jpl.nasa.gov)

To those of you who have recently sent questions via e-mail, I am working on responses. It may take me a while due to the large volume of e-mail I've received since our landing on July 4th. Please be patient since I do intend to reply to all of your messages eventually. But if you get tired of waiting, check out Mars Team Answers Your Questions and see if you can find your question there.

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