Mars Pathfinder heatshield design and flight experience

The Mars Pathfinder lander mission represented the first return to the surf ace of Mars In over 20 years, Along with the Mars Global Surveyor orbiter, it represented a new era in faster, cheaper, better planetary missions, dra matically reducing costs below previous Mars programs. The design experienc e of the entry aeroshell, which protected the lander during its hypersonic entry into the Martian atmosphere, is described. The design of the aeroshel l required a cooperative effort between Martin Marietta Corporation (now Lo ckheed Martin), the prime contractor, and multiple NASA field centers.