Editing Mars Observer (section)

==== Intended operations ====
[[File:Mars Observer - mapping the martian world mars observer.ogv|299px|thumb|View video]]
{{Main|Exploration of Mars}}
{{multiple image
| footer   = The complement of instruments on Mars Observer would have provided a large amount of information about Mars.
| image1   = Mars Observer - orbit insertion.png
| width1   = 98
| alt1     = Diagram of the orbital insertion maneuver
| caption1 = {{small|Diagram of the orbit insertion}}
| image2   = Mars Observer - mapping phase.png
| width2   = 88
| alt2     = Diagram of the mapping cycle
| caption2 = {{small|Diagram of the mapping cycle}}
| image3   = Mars Observer 2.jpg
| width3   = 97
| alt3     = Artistic depiction of the spacecraft in orbit
| caption3 = {{small|Artistic depiction}}
}}
On August 24, 1993, ''Mars Observer'' would turn 180 degrees and ignite the bipropellant thrusters to slow the spacecraft, entering into a highly elliptical orbit. Over the next three months, subsequent "transfer to lower orbit" (TLO) maneuvers would be performed as the spacecraft reached [[periapsis]], eventually resulting in an approximately circular, 118-minute orbit around Mars.<ref name=MOArrivalPressKit/>

The primary mission was to begin on November 23, 1993, collecting data during one [[Martian year]] (approximately 687 Earth days). The first global map was expected to be completed on December 16, followed by [[solar conjunction]] beginning on December 20, and lasting for nineteen days, ending on January 3, 1994; during this time, mission operations would be suspended as radio contact would not be possible.<ref name=MOArrivalPressKit/>

Orbiting Mars at an approximate speed of 3.4&nbsp;km/s, the spacecraft would travel around Mars in a north to south, polar orbit. As the spacecraft circles the planet, horizon sensors indicate the orientation of the spacecraft while the reaction wheels would maintain the orientation of the instruments, towards Mars. The chosen orbit was also Sun-synchronous, allowing the daylit side of Mars to always be captured during the mid-afternoon of each [[Timekeeping on Mars#Sols|Martian Sol]]. While some instruments could provide a real-time data link when Earth was in view of the spacecraft, data would also be recorded to the digital tape recorders and played back to Earth each day. Over 75&nbsp;[[gigabyte]]s of scientific data was expected to be yielded during the primary mission, much more than any previous mission to Mars. The end of the operable life for the spacecraft was expected to be limited by the supply of propellant and the condition of the batteries.<ref name=MOArrivalPressKit/>
<!--Following the primary mission...-->