2001 Mars Odyssey
The 2001 Mars Odyssey was launched on April 7, 2001, and arrived at Mars on October 24, 2001.
Odyssey is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet. Odyssey's primarily mission is to map the amount and distribution of chemical elements and minerals that make up the Martian surface.
The Odyssey orbiter also supports other Mars missions by acting as a communications relay for U.S. and international landers.
The name "2001 Mars Odyssey" was selected as a tribute to the works of science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey).
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