What is Mars Climate Orbiter?
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Mars Climate Orbiter''}}{{Infobox spaceflight | name = Mars Climate Orbiter | image = Mars Climate Orbiter 2.jpg | image_caption = Artist's conception of the Mars Climate Orbiter | mission_type = [[Mars]] orbiter | operator = [[NASA]] / [[JPL]] | website = {{url|http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/orbiter/}} | COSPAR_ID = 1998-073A | SATCAT = | mission_duration = 286&nbsp;days<br/>Mission failure | spacecraft_type = | manufacturer = [[Lockheed Martin Space Systems|Lockheed Martin]] | dry_mass = | launch_mass = {{convert|338|kg|lb}} | power = 500&nbsp;watts | launch_date = {{start-date|11 December 1998, 18:45:51|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC | launch_rocket = [[Delta II]] 7425 | launch_site = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 17|SLC-17A]] | launch_contractor = | last_contact = {{end-date|23 September 1999 09:06:00|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC | decay_date = 23 September 1999<br/>Unintentionally deorbited | orbit_epoch = Planned | orbit_reference = [[Areocentric orbit|Areocentric]] | orbit_periapsis = | orbit_apoapsis = | orbit_inclination = | orbit_period = | apsis = areion }} The '''''Mars Climate Orbiter''''' was a [[space probe]]. It was launched by [[NASA]] on 11 December 1998 to study the [[Climate of Mars|Martian climate]] and [[Martian atmosphere]]. However, on 23 September 1999, communication with the spacecraft was lost, when the spacecraft was about to enter orbit. Because the computer software was working with [[United States customary units|non-SI]] units instead of the [[SI units]]. The spacecraft entered Mars on an orbit that brought it too close to the planet. However, what happened with the probe is still unknown, either it was destroyed in the