About THEMIS & the Mars Odyssey mission
The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) is an instrument on board theMars Odyssey spacecraft. It combines a 5-wavelength visual imaging system with a 9-wavelength infrared imaging system.
Mars Odyssey launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 7, 2001 and arrived at Mars on October 24, 2001. It spent the next several months achieving a circular mapping orbit by aerobraking (dipping into the atmosphere to slow and shrink the orbit). Aerobraking concluded in early February 2002, and primary mapping operations began a few weeks later.
The spacecraft is in a 2-hour orbit around Mars.
Mars Odyssey carries three main science instruments: TheGamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS), the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), and theMars Radiation Environment Experiment (MARIE).
Infrared Spectroscopy
How THEMIS images can help scientists understand the geologic story of Mars.
THEMIS Pre-Launch Image Gallery
Images of THEMIS and Odyssey during assembly, testing and launch.
THEMIS Fact Sheet
Detailed information about the Mars Odyssey mission and the THEMIS instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
The who, what, where, why, when, and how of THEMIS.
THEMIS Science Team
The people responsible for THEMIS and its data, and who are heading the research done with it.
Mars Space Flight Facility, Arizona State University
Mailing Address: PO Box 876305, Moeur Building Rm 131, Tempe, AZ 85287-6305
Shipping Address: 201 E. Orange Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281 |link to map
(480) 965-1790 (Tel.) • (480) 727-7956 (Fax)