Mariner 9 -- still in orbit? Options

[Doug M.]

I've read in various places that Mariner 9 was supposed to remain in orbit until sometime in the 2020s or 2030s. However, I've never seen an authoritative quote for the exact end of its mission. (One may not exist, of course.) The wikipedia page gives a date of 2022, with a footnote, but unfortunately the link (to a NASA page) is dead.

Does anyone know anything more? Also, would it be theoretically possible to image Mariner 9 (assuming we knew where it was) using any of the other orbiters?


Doug M.

[Habukaz]

Retrieved a working link of the Wikipedia reference via the Wayback Machine:

http://appel.nasa.gov/2011/11/27/ata_4-9_mariner_9-html/

Mariner 9 remains in orbit around Mars until 2022, when it is expected to burn up or crash on to the surface.

[vikingmars]

Retrieved a working link of the Wikipedia reference via the Wayback Machine:

Dear Habukaz, thanks a lot for the link.
However, unlike that is said in the caption of this webpage ("Image of landslides in the Melas Chasma on Mars taken by Mariner 9. November 13, 1971 .../... "), the image inserted was not taken by Mariner 9, but by Mars Odyssey