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Latest Update

NASA's Mars Fleet Will Still Conduct Science While Lying Low

  • Latest update
    NASA's Mars Fleet Will Still Conduct Science While Lying Low

    Rovers and orbiters will continue collecting limited data during a two-week communications pause due to the position of Earth, the Sun, and the Red Planet.

Full article ›

Mission website ›

Time in Orbit

  • About the mission
    NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in August 2005, carries the most powerful camera ever flown on a planetary exploration mission for homing in on details of Martian terrain with extraordinary clarity. While previous cameras on other Mars orbiters were able to identify objects no smaller than a dinner table, this camera is able to spot something as small as a dinner plate. This capability provides not only an astoundingly detailed view of the geology and structure of Mars, but helps identify obstacles that could jeopardize the safety of future landers and rovers.

    The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter also carries a sounder to find subsurface water, an important consideration in selecting scientifically worthy landing sites for future exploration.

Latest Update

NASA's Mars Fleet Will Still Conduct Science While Lying Low

  • Latest update
    NASA's Mars Fleet Will Still Conduct Science While Lying Low

    Rovers and orbiters will continue collecting limited data during a two-week communications pause due to the position of Earth, the Sun, and the Red Planet.

Full article ›

Mission website ›

Time in Orbit

  • About the mission
    NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in August 2005, carries the most powerful camera ever flown on a planetary exploration mission for homing in on details of Martian terrain with extraordinary clarity. While previous cameras on other Mars orbiters were able to identify objects no smaller than a dinner table, this camera is able to spot something as small as a dinner plate. This capability provides not only an astoundingly detailed view of the geology and structure of Mars, but helps identify obstacles that could jeopardize the safety of future landers and rovers.

    The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter also carries a sounder to find subsurface water, an important consideration in selecting scientifically worthy landing sites for future exploration.