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The Mars Pathfinder prepares to lift off into a clear night sky atop a Delta II expendable launch vehicle. Liftoff on the third launch attempt occurred later at 1:58 a.m. EST, Dec. 4, 1996, from Launch Complex 17B on Cape Canaveral Air Station. After arriving at the Red Planet in July 1997, the Mars Pathfinder lander will descend to the planet's surface and deploy a small robotic explorer, Sojourner, to explore the terrain. The primary objective of the mission is to demonstrate a low-cost way of delivering a science package to the surface of the Red Planet using a direct entry, descent and landing with the aid of small rocket engines, a parachute, airbags and other techniques. In addition, landers and rovers of the future will share the heritage of Mars Pathfinder designs and technologies first tested in this mission. Pathfinder also will collect invaluable data about the Martian surface. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the Mars Pathfinder mission for NASA's Office of Space Science. McDonnell Douglas Aerospace builds the Delta II launch vehicle.