Odyssey enters orbit around Mars

Nasa's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft has successfully entered orbit around the Red Planet.

American engineers and scientists received the first indication earlier an engine firing slowed the spacecraft and allowed Mars to capture it into orbit.

Mission control erupted in cheers as officials exchanged hugs and handshakes after tense minutes of waiting.

"How sweet it is," retiring NASA Administrator Dan Goldin said at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Pasadena, California. "It embodies the true American spirit that we could win after being knocked down a few times."

Odyssey project manager Matt Landano said initial data showed the orbit insertion burn was excellent.

The spacecraft will take until late January to settle into a final, circular mapping orbit 250 miles above the planet.

"There's still a long ways to go. This was necessary though not sufficient to get the mission going," said Charles Whetsel, chief engineer of the Mars exploration programme. "You've got to make it through this round before you get to play in the World Series. This is winning the pennant."

Odyssey dived over Mars' north pole and dipped behind the planet after the burn began, leaving mission team members waiting anxiously. About 20 minutes later the probe reappeared and transmitted a signal to Earth across 93 million miles of space.

Scientists did not expect to know for up to three hours the exact orbital path the boxy spacecraft was travelling around Mars.