Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Multimedia


	+ Mars Home + MRO Home

		Press Release Images
		MOI
		Cruise
		Aerobraking
		Spacecraft
		Mars Artwork
		Dust Storms
		Launch
		Calibration

Press Release Images

Return to Press Release Images index

This is a group of images. The image on the left is the largest of the three and is a black and white image of a large crater on Mars. In the right, center of this image is a small black box representing the area that is detailed in the two smaller images on the right. The two images to the right of the black and white image are the same size and they both represent the same area. In the tope image, the dunes represented appear blue and orange. In the bottom image, the dunes appear almost entirely orange-colored, with only hints of blue.

Full Res JPG (1.52 MB)

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is an overachiever! About six months into its science-gathering phase and the orbiter has already returned 11 Terabits of data - that's enough to fill over 2,000 CDs! The total goal for the mission lifetime is 34 Terabits. Among the impressive data are images from the orbiter's Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) instrument. With CRISM, the science team intends to investigate the entire red planet in spectral mode at a resolution of 200 meters (656 feet) per pixel. The instrument has already logged data for 50 percent of the planet!

"CRISM has revealed sites with very interesting mineralogy that we want to investigate more closely," said Deputy Project Scientist Sue Smrekar. "Images from these sites are helping us learn more about Mars' ancient climate and the role of water on the surface."

The identification of scientifically interesting sites is also vital to future landed missions. Remember, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is on the lookout for prime landing sites for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory.

JPL Image Use Policy