MOC Public Targeting Program

The MOC Public Targeting Program was a very popular program that followed the Mars Global Surveyor's pictures of Mars. A total of 4,636 requests came in from the general public. Of these, 1,086 were photographed by the Mars Observer Camera. Many of the requests eventually resulted in publications. A little more than half of the requests came from a single member of the general public. One of the people wrote in the Planetary Report that working with MGS was as exciting as being a football fan able to run a few plays in the Super Bowl. Images from the Public Target program can be found at http://www.msss.com/moc_gallery/

Mars Global Surveyor was launched on November 7, 1996 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Florida). Mars Global Surveyor was the first successful US mission launched to Mars in 20 years since the Viking mission in 1976. On November 2, 2006 it was lost due to loss of power (through incorrect alignment of the solar panels). The camera returned 243,668 images while in orbit around Mars. Mars Orbiter Camera was operated by its manufacturer, Malin Space Science Systems, from its facilities in San Diego, California.

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Examples of pictures taken through Public Target program

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  Pattern of large and small tracks made by giant dust devils as seen by Mars Global Surveyor.

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  Layers in the canyon wall in Coprates quadrangle,

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  Lava flow in Elysium. There are many lava flows in the Elysium quadrangle. In this one, the lava flowed toward the upper right. Image taken by Mars Global Surveyor, under the MOC Public Targeting Program.

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  Crater that was buried in another age and is now being exposed by erosion, as seen by the Mars Global Surveyor under the MOC Public Targeting Program. Image is located in the Noachis quadrangle.