The Orbiter "Mars-Odyssey"at the beginning of June this year, translated into safe mode because of problems in navigation systems, recently returned to work. However, as commented by representatives of NASA, for that the probe had to go on a spare set of equipment. He has already started to transfer data from the Rover opportunity".

By the way, in July 2012 its orbit was also adjusted for the transmission of information from the new Rover "Curiosity".

"Mars-Odyssey", whose task is to study the geological structure of the red planet and the search for mineral, is by far the most long-lived of the devices, intended for work on the Martian orbit. It was launched in April 2001, and in October of the same year was published on the planned orbit around Mars. In February 2002 "Odyssey" began 917-day scientific study of the planet, which was put into space Agency NASA pictures taken with an infrared camera. One of them is visible area of the planet radius of about six miles traversed mysterious channels", the origins of which are still debatable.

In 2004, the probe found under the surface of the planet deposits of water ice, and this was the reason to speak about the fact that on Mars there could be life.

Onboard the probe are three device for solution of research tasks - infrared camera THEMIS, the device for the study of cosmic radiation MARIE finally, gamma spectrometer GRS, which includes Russian neutron detector HEND developed in the space research Institute of RAS. This device helped create the first map of the Martian permafrost. In addition, the device provides connection with other devices that are on the surface of Mars, transmitting radio signals with them to Earth and back.

However, after years of successful work in June of this year there were problems with one of the three gyroscopes that are installed on "Odyssey", by which it regulates its orientation. After that the probe had translate into safe mode to diagnose and determine further action.

Recently experts have translated "Odyssey" on "back" set communication navigation systems, interacting, in turn, with the "backup" the trip computer. "Operation "shift" on the other side is successful, all subsystems that we use for the first time, work in a regular mode", said project Manager at the jet propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA Halon Macsmith. November 11 "Mars-Odyssey" has already transferred the first after a long break the data obtained from the research of machine opportunity".

To Mars on the bus

The last is the second of the two Rovers, running the USA in the framework of the Mars Exploration Rover project, and is on the Martian surface from 25 January 2004, having landed there three weeks later "Spirit", landing on the other side of the planet. The main task opportunity" is the study of sedimentary rocks, which could be formed in craters, remaining on the place of dry water. Opportunity" continues to function, receiving power from solar panels and 30 times exceeding the planned term.

According to experts, the main navigation systems probe could work for a few months, but engineers decided in advance to make "switching", thus retaining the operation of both sets of equipment, at least for a limited time. This is done in case of emergency circumstances requiring temporarily disable reserve system.

Meanwhile, NASA plans to actively continue the research of the red planet. No sooner had at the beginning of last August to arrive at Mars and start his mission device "Curiosity" ("Curiosity"), as it was announced about the beginning of a new project to study the planet. "Insight" (which means "Insight") is a part of the program "discovery" ("Open"). Exploring in the framework of this project parameters such as the size, thickness, density and structure "body" Mars, and the radiation coming out of its depths, scientists will be able to shed light on the processes of evolution and the other rocky planets in the Solar system.