Editing Mars Observer (section)

=== History ===
In 1984, a high priority mission to Mars was set forth by the Solar System Exploration Committee.  Then titled the ''Mars Geoscience/Climatology Orbiter'', the Martian [[orbiter]] was planned to expand on the information already gathered by the [[Viking program]]. Preliminary mission goals expected the probe to provide planetary magnetic field data, detection of certain [[spectral line]] signatures of minerals on the surface, images of the surface at 1 [[meter]]/[[pixel]] and global elevation data.<ref name=scinews1/>

''Mars Observer'' was originally planned to be launched in 1990 by a [[Space Shuttle]] Orbiter.  The possibility for an expendable rocket to be used was also suggested, if the spacecraft was designed to meet certain constraints.<ref name=scinews1/> On March 12, 1987, the mission was rescheduled for launch in 1992, in lieu of other backlogged missions (''[[Galileo (spacecraft)|Galileo]]'', [[Magellan probe|Magellan]], ''[[Ulysses (spacecraft)|Ulysses]]'') after the [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster]].<ref name=science1/> Along with a launch delay, [[cost overrun|budget overruns]] necessitated the elimination of two instruments to meet the 1992 planned launch<!--what were they?, VIMS and?-->.{{r|Return|scinews2}} As the development matured, the primary science objectives were finalized as:{{r|Return|Astronautix|MOObjectives}}
*Determine the global elemental and mineralogical character of the surface material.
*Define globally the [[topography]] and gravitational field.
*Establish the nature of the Martian [[magnetic field]].
*Determine the temporal and spatial distribution, abundance, sources, and sinks of volatiles and dust over a seasonal cycle.
*Explore the structure and circulation of the [[celestial body's atmosphere|atmosphere]].

The program's total cost is estimated at $813 million.<ref name=NSSDC/>