As part of a series of design and performance summaries of several different NASA spacecraft, this 78-page report addresses the communications systems of the Mars Odyssey, which is orbiting the red planet. Beginning with an overview of Odyssey's mission objectives and phases, the report then delves into specifics of X-Band and UHF telecommunication. Odyssey is equipped with technology that allows it to send and receive information from Earth (via the Deep Space Network) and eventually from vehicles on the surface of Mars. All previous articles in this series are available from the Deep Space Communications and Navigation Systems Center of Excellence (DESCANSO) home page.