The MARCI and PMIRR instruments, as well as a UHF antenna and battery enclosure, are mounted to the bottom of the equipment module. An 11 square meter solar array wing, measuring 5.5 m tip-to-tip, is attached by 2-axis gimbal to one side and a 1.3 m diameter high-gain dish antenna is attached by 2-axis gimbal to a mast at the top of the propulsion module. The total spacecraft launch mass of 629 kg includes 291 kg of propellant. The Mars Climate Orbiter was a box shaped spacecraft about 2.1 m high, 1.6 m wide, and 2 m deep, consisting of stacked propulsion and equipment modules. The orbiter was also to serve as a data relay satellite for the Mars Polar Lander and other future NASA and international lander missions to Mars. The Mars Climate Orbiter Color Imager (MARCI) was to acquire daily atmospheric weather images and high resolution surface images and the Pressure Modulated Infrared Radiometer (PMIRR) was to allow measurement of the atmospheric temperature, water vapor abundance, and dust concentration. The orbiter was to use two instruments to carry out these investigations. Specifically it was to observe and study dust storms, weather systems, clouds and dust hazes, ozone, distribution and transport of dust and water, the effects of topography on atmospheric circulation, atmospheric response to solar heating, and surface features, wind streaks, erosion, and color changes. look for evidence of past climate change.monitor the water vapor and dust content of the atmosphere.determine temperature profiles of the atmosphere.record changes on the martian surface due to wind and other atmospheric effects.monitor the daily weather and atmospheric conditions.The Orbiter had as its primary science objectives to:
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