Deep Space 2
Two miniature probes attempted to penetrate Mars' surface but failed.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Deep Space 2 was a NASA space probe developed under the New Millennium Program, consisting of two miniature probes named 'Scott' and 'Amundsen' after the first explorers to reach Earth's South Pole. Launched aboard the Mars Polar Lander in January 1999, they were intended to be the first spacecraft to penetrate below the surface of another planet, using a high-velocity impactor design without a parachute. The mission was declared a failure on March 13, 2000, after all attempts to reestablish communications following descent went unanswered.
- launch_date
- January 3, 1999
- mission_end
- March 13, 2000 (declared failure)
- field
- Planetary exploration / technology demonstration
- nationality
- United States (NASA)
- known_for
- First attempt to penetrate below the surface of Mars; high-risk technology validation
- development_cost
- US$28 million
Lore & Background
Deep Space 2, also called 'Mars Microprobe,' was the second spacecraft under NASA's New Millennium Program, designed to flight-test advanced technologies. The project was led by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory with contributions from several universities and the Air Force Research Laboratory. The probes weighed 2.4 kg each and were encased in protective aeroshells, riding to Mars aboard the Mars Polar Lander. Upon arrival near the south polar region on December 3, 1999, the basketball-sized shells were released, plummeting through the atmosphere and hitting the surface at over 179 m/s. On impact, each shell was to shatter, allowing a grapefruit-sized probe to punch into the soil and separate into a forebody (penetrating up to 0.6 meters) and an aftbody (remaining on the surface to transmit data via UHF antenna to the Mars Global Surveyor).
Reader's Guide
Deep Space 2's significance lies in its attempt to validate the penetrator concept for planetary exploration—a potentially lower-cost approach that could access subsurface material. Although the mission failed, it demonstrated the high-risk, high-reward philosophy of the New Millennium Program, whose motto was 'Taking risks to reduce future danger.' The probes carried five instruments, including an Evolved Water Experiment to detect ice, and custom electronics designed to survive 80,000 g impacts and temperatures as low as -80°C. The failure review board could not identify a probable cause but suggested possibilities such as radio equipment failure, battery failure, or rocky terrain. Despite the loss, the target area, Planum Australe, was later explored by ESA's MARSIS radar, which detected subsurface saltwater. The mission's legacy includes advancing penetrator technology and informing future subsurface exploration efforts.
Did You Know?
- The probes were named 'Scott' and 'Amundsen' after the first explorers to reach Earth's South Pole.
- Each probe weighed only 2.4 kg and was designed to hit Mars at over 179 m/s without a parachute.
- The primary science instrument was the Evolved Water Experiment, which would heat a soil sample to detect water vapor.
- The failure review board concluded that the probes and their components were not tested adequately before launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deep Space 2?
Deep Space 2 was a pair of miniature NASA probes, nicknamed Scott and Amundsen, created to become the first spacecraft to break through the surface of a planet other than Earth. They were built under NASA's New Millennium Program as a high-risk technology demonstration for planetary exploration.
When was Deep Space 2 launched and how did it work?
The two probes rode to Mars aboard the Mars Polar Lander on January 3, 1999. Instead of deploying a parachute, each probe was designed to slam into the Martian surface at high velocity and dig itself in.
What happened to the Deep Space 2 probes?
After the descent phase, both Scott and Amundsen went completely silent, and no amount of recontact attempts produced a signal. NASA officially declared the mission a failure on March 13, 2000.
How much did Deep Space 2 cost to develop?
The program's total development cost came to roughly US$28 million. That budget had to cover the hardware for both probes plus the untested impactor technology they were meant to prove out.
Why is Deep Space 2 significant in space exploration history?
It marked the first human attempt to penetrate below the surface of another planet, a milestone no earlier mission had tried. Although the probes never transmitted back, the effort validated the high-velocity impact concept that later influenced subsequent subsurface-exploration designs.
More in Derelict landers 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record