In November 1996, NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory began America's return to Mars after
a 20-year absence by launching the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft. One of the scientific
instruments included on the satellites scientific payload is a device for recording the topographical
features of Mars. This is the Mars Orbital Laser Altimer (MOLA). The scope of the Mars Project
involves creating a planetary topographical model of Mars. The globe will feature some of the
most dramatic topographical features known of in our solar system. Including the highest location
on Mars which is a volcano called Olympus Mons rising 15 miles above the Martian plain and a
canyon called Valles Marineris. It is the deepest canyon in our solar system - up to 5 miles deep,
2500 miles long, and up to 370 miles wide!
Want to learn more about MGS or MOLA?
Visit The Mars Global Surveyor Home Page!
