Status of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) was launched on August 12, 2005 by an Atlas V 401 expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, USA. After the seven-month cruise phase from Earth to Mars, the spacecraft burned its main engines for approximately 27 min and was inserted into Mars orbit on March 10, 2006. During the post-MOI period, four instruments acquired early engineering-quality data. Subsequently, the aerobraking phase was conducted for approximately five months, followed by one month of engineering and instrument checkout. The spacecraft supports a payload to conduct remote sensing science observations, identify and characterize sites for future landers, and provide critical telecom/navigation relay capability for follow-on missions. During the one Martian year (687 Earth days) primary science phase, the orbiter will acquire visual and near-infrared high-resolution images of the planet's surface, monitor atmospheric weather and climate, and search the upper crust for evidence of water. While in this science phase, the orbiter will provide telecommunications support for Phoenix spacecraft launched to Mars in 2007. After the primary science phase is complete, the orbiter will enter into its formal relay mode and support the Mars Science Laboratory, which will be launched in the 2009 opportunity. The primary mission ends on December 31, 2010, approximately 5.5 years after launch.