MGS, MCO, MPL, and Mars Odyssey: planetary protection report to COSPAR

Over the course of six years, the United States has launched four robotic missions to Mars: Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) on November 7, 1996, Mars Climate Orbiter (MCO) on December 11, 1998, Mars Polar Lander (MPL) on January 3, 1999, and Mars Odyssey on April 7, 2001. Actually, the two Mars Microprobes which "piggy-backed" on MPL should also be noted. MGS has been very successful; it is currently in its second extended mission period in orbit around Mars. Mars Odyssey is also a quite productive mission in Mars orbit. In addition to the acquisition of scientific data, both of these orbiters are active in data relay from the most recent United States Mars mission, the Spirit and Opportunity rovers. Unfortunately, MCO, MPL and the Mars Microprobes all failed. The approach to compliance with the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration planetary protection regulations will be summarized for this set of Mars missions. The actual compliance will be reviewed. Special attention will be given to: the probabilities of impact during Mars aerobraking and long term in the final orbit for MGS, MCO, and Odyssey; the process for the MGS extended missions (including spacecraft reliability considerations); the estimates of planetary protection accountable spores on MPL and the Mars Microprobes at launch; and the estimates of the spores released on Mars by MCO, MPL, and the Mars Microprobes due to the failures.