Mars Space Flight Facility

Lore & Background

The Mars Space Flight Facility operates the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter and two Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometers (Mini-TES) on the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. Before the loss of NASA's Mars Global Surveyor in November 2006, the facility also operated the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) aboard that spacecraft. A full-size Mars rover model, bedded on reddish-brown sand, dominates the building's lobby.

Reader's Guide

The Mars Space Flight Facility is significant for its role in advancing the understanding of Mars' geology and mineralogy through remote sensing. Its instruments, such as THEMIS and Mini-TES, have provided critical data on the planet's surface composition and thermal properties. The facility's director, Dr. Phil Christensen, has been principal investigator for multiple key instruments, including THEMIS, Mini-TES, and TES. The facility also houses the Mars Education Program, which engages teachers and students in Mars exploration through workshops and field trips. In 2011, NASA announced the OSIRIS-REx mission to a carbonaceous asteroid, which includes OTES, an updated version of the Mini-TES spectrometer, reflecting the facility's ongoing contribution to planetary science.

Did You Know?

• The facility operates THEMIS on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter.
• Two Mini-TES instruments were on the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity.
• The facility previously operated the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) on Mars Global Surveyor until its loss in November 2006.