Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is part of a series of expeditions to the red planet that help meet the four main science goals of the Mars Exploration Program.
For a description of how Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is collecting data in support of these goals and objectives, please see science instruments in the Mission Section or visit some of the instrument sites:
This visible camera reveals small-scale objects in the debris blankets of mysterious gullies and details of geologic structure of canyons, craters, and layered deposits.
This weather camera monitors clouds and dust storms.
This instrument splits visible and near-infrared light in its images into hundreds of "colors" that identify minerals, especially those likely formed in the presence of water, in surface areas on Mars not much bigger than a football field.
This atmospheric profiler detects vertical variations in temperature, dust, and water vapor concentrations in the Martian atmosphere.
This sounding radar probes beneath the Martian surface to see if water ice is present at depthsgreater than one meter (3.3 feet).