NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter spacecraft is scheduled for
launch aboard a Boeing Delta 2 launch vehicle on Thursday,
December 10.


     The day before this launch, on December 9, the lead scientist
for the camera aboard the NASA spacecraft currently in orbit
around the red planet, Mars Global Surveyor, will discuss the Top
10 images returned to Earth so far by that mission, including
several new releases.

 
     The Mars Climate Orbiter has two launch opportunities on
December 10. The target is the first opportunity at 1:56:38 p.m.
EST.  A second opportunity at 3:02:23 p.m. EST is available if necessary.
Liftoff will occur from Pad A at Launch Complex 17 on CapeCanaveral
 Air Station, FL.


     When it first arrives at the red planet, Mars Climate Orbiter
will be used primarily to support its companion Mars Polar Lander
spacecraft, planned for launch on Jan. 3, 1999.  After that, the
Climate Orbiter's instruments will monitor the Martian atmosphere
and image the planet's surface on a daily basis for one Martian year,
the equivalent of two Earth years.  During this time, the spacecraft
will observe the circulation of atmospheric dust and water vapor,
as well as characterize seasonal changes on the surface.