What were the objectives of the outer space mission Pathfinder? What was expected in terms of information to be gathered by it?

The Pathfinder was designed primarily to demonstrate a low-cost way of delivering a set of science instruments and a free-ranging rover to the surface of the Red Planet. Pathfinders demonstrated a number of innovative, economical, and highly effective approaches to spacecraft and mission design. Info gathered by a Pathfinder included engineering data on the new technologies, and analysis of the Martian atmosphere, climate, geology, and the composition of its rocks and soil.

Explanation:

https://mars.nasa.gov/mars-exploration/missions/pathfinder/