Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports Volume 38 July 28, 2000

major limitations: 1) Only a limited number of rocks were viewed by the rover, biasing flute statistics; and 2) The higher resolution
obtained by the rover images and the lack of such pictures at the Viking landing sites hampered comparisons of rock morphologies
between the Pathfinder and Viking sites. to avoid this problem, rock morphology and ventifact statistics have been examined using
new ”super-resolution” IMP and Viking Lander images. Analyses of these images show that: 1) Flutes are seen on about 50% or
more of the rocks in the near field at the MPF site; 2) The orientation of these flutes is similar to that for flutes identified in rover
images; and 3) Ventifacts are significantly more abundant at the Pathfinder landing site than at the two Viking Landing sites, where
rocks have undergone only a limited amount of aeolian abrasion. This is most likely due to the ruggedness of the Pathfinder site
and a greater supply of abrading particles available shortly after the Arcs and Tiu Valles outflow channel floods.
Derived from text
Landing Sites; Abrasion; Rocks; Mars Pathfinder; Mars Surface
20000062727 NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, FL USA
TITAN III Launch Replays
Sep. 25, 1992; In English; Videotape: 9 min. playing time, in color, without sound
Report No.(s): NONP-NASA-VT-2000081549; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; B01, Videotape-Beta; V01, Videotape-VHS
Footage shows several views of the launching of the Mars Observer Titan III satellite. Scenes include different angle and
camera views of the launch. Also shown are panoramic views of the launch vehicle on the launch pad.
CASI
Titan; Launch Vehicles; Titan Project; Mars Observer; Launching
20000063384 NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, FL USA
Mars Observer Press Conference JPL
Aug. 24, 1993; In English; Videotape: 55 min. 1 sec. playing time, in color, with sound
Report No.(s): NONP-NASA-VT-200081550; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; B03, Videotape-Beta; V03, Videotape-VHS
The Mars Observer mission spacecraft was primarily designed for exploring Mars and the Martian environment. The Mars
Observer was launched on September 25, 1992. The spacecraft was lost in the vicinity of Mars on August 21, 1993 when the spacecraft
began its maneuvering sequence for Martian orbital insertion. This videotape shows a press briefing, held after the spacecraft
had not responded to attempts to communicate with it, to explain to the press the problems and the steps that were being taken
to re-establish communication with the spacecraft. The communications had been shutdown prior to the orbital insertion burn to
protect the instruments. At the time of the press conference, the communications system was still not operational, and attempts
were being made to re-establish communication. Bob McMillan of the Public Affairs Office at JPL gives the initial announcement
of the continuing communication problem with the spacecraft. Mr. McMillan introduces William Piotrowski, acting director of
solar system exploration, who reiterates that there is indeed no communication with the Observer spacecraft. He is followed by
Glenn Cunningham, the Project Manager of the Mars Observer who speaks about the attempts to re-establish contact. Mr. Cunningham
is followed by Satenios Dallas, the Mission Manager for the Mars Observer Project, who speaks about the sequence of
events leading up to the communication failure, and shows an animated video presenting the orbital insertion maneuvers. The
briefing was then opened up for questions from the assembled press, both at JPL and at the other NASA Centers. The questions
are about the possible reasons for the communication failure, and the attempts to restore communications with the spacecraft. Dr.
Arden L. Albee, chief scientist for the Mars Observer Mission, joins the other panel members to answer questions. At the end of
the press briefing the animation of the Mars orbital insertion is shown again.
CASI
Failure; Orbit Insertion; Mars Probes; Mars Missions
20000063385 NASA Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, FL USA
Mars Observer Lecture: Mars Orbit Insertion
Dodd, Suzanne R., Personal Name; Aug. 17, 1993; In English; Videotape: 45 min. 45 sec. playing time, in color, with sound
Report No.(s): NONP-NASA-VT-2000081538; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; B03, Videotape-Beta; V03, Videotape-VHS
The Mars Observer mission spacecraft was primarily designed for exploring Mars and the Martian environment. The Mars
Observer was launched on September 25, 1992. The spacecraft was lost in the vicinity of Mars on August 21, 1993 when the spacecraft
began its maneuvering sequence for Martian orbital insertion. This videotape shows a lecture by Suzanne R. Dodd, the Mission
Planning Team Chief for the Mars Observer Project. Ms Dodd begins with a brief overview of the mission and the timeline
from the launch to orbital insertion. Ms Dodd then reviews slides showing the trajectory of the spacecraft on its trip to Mars. Slides
of the spacecraft being constructed are also shown. She then discusses the Mars orbit insertion and the events that will occur to
move the spacecraft from the capture orbit into a mapping orbit. During the trip to Mars, scientists at JPL had devised a new strat-
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