Mars Pathfinder

Mars Pathfinder was a NASA spacecraft launched in 1996 to explore Mars. It consisted of a lander (Sojourner rover) and a small, lightweight rover named Sojourner. The mission's goal was to demonstrate new landing technologies and to study the Martian surface, rocks, and atmosphere. The lander used airbags to safely bounce onto Mars and then opened to conduct scientific experiments. Sojourner roamed the surface, analyzing rocks and soil, sending valuable data back to Earth. The mission proved technologies for future Mars missions and provided key insights into the planet's geology and environment.