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Back To Mars

Mars Observer

The exploration of Mars was a prime NASA objective for about 15 years- from Mariner 4 through Viking. Since 1978, no new investigations were realized until September 25, 1992, when Mars Observer (MO) was launched by Titan 4 from KSC. The new generation of science would map from low circular orbit many of the features previously discovered, and would also make new measurements not available on the earlier missions.

In keeping with the tradition begun with the first Mariner 10 cover, the MO launch (34a) cover was designed reproducing the project logo directly as-is. For this and subsequent covers, the power of the PC was sufficient to allow this and most subsequent designs to be formulated from project artwork directly, and delivered directly to the printer as full four-color art. 500 covers were cancelled in Pasadena, and 200 were cancelled at KSC (50 with the KSC hand canceller (34b), and the remainder with the machine cancel (35a).) In addition, 100 KSC machine cancels were applied to the envelopes used for JPL EXPO II (35b) covers (see chapter 11 - Special Events) since the cachet portrays both MO and TOPEX/ POSEIDON as missions which are elements of the International Space Year.

Mars Observer Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI) (36a) was commemorated with a similarly-prepared cover. Unfortunately, the S/C failed in the propulsive insertion maneuver, and the mission was lost. A special rubber stamp was added to note that unfortunate conclusion to a highly anticipated mission.

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