The last communication was sent 11 minutes before Lander was due to enter the atmosphere, he says. One minute later, a pair of small instrument packages were due to be released. These packages were designed to survive a crash-landing on Mars and send signals to a satellite orbiting the planet. Since they have not done so, Limaye speculates that some kind of general failure doomed Lander. Overall, the lesson being learned is simple, Limaye says.
Interplanetary travel is complex and dangerous.
People forget that going to Mars is not the same as going into Earth orbit. Even though systems are tested on Earth, during eight or 10 months in space, alternating extremes of heat and cold can damage rocket motors needed for safe landing or entry into Mars orbit. If the loss of Polar Lander is still mysterious, the Sept. 23 destruction of Mars Climate Orbiter is now understood. Inadequate computer models of the rockets. Poor team communication.