Mars Global Surveyor was a robotic spacecraft launched by NASA in 1996 to study the planet Mars. It entered orbit around Mars in 1997 and operated until 2006, providing detailed images and data about the planet's surface, atmosphere, and geology. The mission's primary goals included mapping the Martian surface, analyzing its mineral composition, and studying weather patterns. Mars Global Surveyor significantly advanced our understanding of Mars, revealing features like ancient riverbeds and polar ice caps, and laid the groundwork for future missions to the planet.