Mars 97

The Mars Orbiter was part of the late 20th century British Mars mission. It arrived at Mars in 1997.

The mission was part of a ploy by British Science Minister Edward Greyhaven to bring the Argyre clan of Ice Warriors to Earth. After the crew was killed, the vessel remained in orbit.

Lord Xznaal was crowned King of England later, and clan members began to enforce its rule in the United Kingdom with the support of their warship. Once in control, they created death camps for their human slaves and began experimenting on the prisoners and manufacturing the Red Death to kill the Doctor.

These actions led to Lord Greyhaven realising that the Ice Warriors had betrayed him. He triggered the Mars Orbiter's rockets by remote control and programmed the nuclear reactors onboard to overload. He then set it on a collision course with the Argyre clan's holdings. Though Greyhaven was killed by Xznaal, he was too late and could only watch helplessly as the Orbiter obliterated his entire clan. (PROSE: The Dying Days)