It flies all around Mars taking many pictures and measurements. It has been taking pictures for about three and one half years. Last year Mars Global Surveyor took some pictures that really surprised scientists. The pictures did not show Martian-made canals, but they did show something almost as surprising. Gullies are ditches caused by flowing water.
Scientists are eager to find out.
In 1999, NASA sent two more spacecraft to Mars, but both of them crashed. Scientists figured out what happened, and now they are ready to try again. The next mission to Mars will depart in April when the Mars Surveyor 2001 Orbiter blasts off for the Red Planet. Like Mars Global Surveyor, the 2001 Orbiter will circle the Red Planet. It will carry instruments to study what Mars is made of and what its radiation environment is like.