# Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

> NASA space probe in orbit of Mars

**Wikidata**: [Q183160](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183160)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Reconnaissance_Orbiter)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter

## Summary
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is a NASA space probe designed to orbit and study Mars. It launched on August 12, 2005, and has been continuously observing the planet since entering Mars orbit on March 10, 2006, using a suite of powerful scientific instruments.

## Key Facts
- Launched on August 12, 2005, at 11:43:00 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 atop an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle (AV-007).
- Operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space.
- Has a launch mass of 2180 kilograms, dry mass of 1031 kilograms, and carries a payload mass of 139 kilograms, with 1149 kilograms of propellant.
- Features significant scientific instruments including HiRISE, CRISM, Context Camera, Mars Climate Sounder, Mars Color Imager, and SHARAD.
- Maintains a Sun-synchronous orbit around Mars with an apoapsis of 320 kilometres, a periapsis of 255 kilometres, and an orbital inclination of 93 degrees.
- Its COSPAR ID is 2005-029A, and its NAIF ID is -74.
- Powers its spacecraft bus using a solar array and six MR-107 thrusters.
- Official website is https://mars.nasa.gov/mro/.

## FAQs
### Q: When did the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launch?
A: The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launched on August 12, 2005, at 11:43:00 UTC.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter?
A: The MRO is designed to orbit Mars, study the planet in detail with its scientific instruments, and act as a high-data-rate communications relay for other Mars missions.

### Q: How long has the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter been operating?
A: The MRO entered Mars orbit on March 10, 2006, and has been operating continuously since then.

### Q: What launch vehicle carried the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter?
A: The MRO was launched on an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle (AV-007).

## Why It Matters
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter fundamentally transformed our understanding of Mars by providing unprecedented high-resolution imagery and comprehensive data. Its instruments like HiRISE have revealed intricate surface features, including evidence of past water activity and potential landing sites, while others like CRISM analyze mineral compositions. MRO also serves as the primary communication relay for numerous landers and rovers on the Martian surface, enabling the transmission of vast amounts of science data back to Earth. Its longevity and capabilities make it an indispensable asset for ongoing Mars exploration and planning for future human missions, solving critical problems like detailed terrain mapping and atmospheric analysis.

## Notable For
- Carrying the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), the most powerful camera ever sent to another planet, capable of resolving features down to about 30 cm.
- Hosting the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM), which maps surface mineral composition at high resolution.
- Serving as the primary communication relay for numerous subsequent Mars missions, including the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, significantly enhancing data return.
- Maintaining its operational status for over 15 years in Mars orbit since its arrival in 2006, demonstrating remarkable longevity.
- Employing a large solar array and sophisticated propulsion systems for sustained orbital operations and maneuvering.

## Body
### Overview
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is a NASA space probe orbiting Mars. It is classified as both a space probe and an orbiter specifically for Mars. MRO was launched by the United States and is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), with Lockheed Martin Space as the manufacturer. Its primary mission is to conduct detailed reconnaissance of the Martian surface, atmosphere, and subsurface using a suite of advanced scientific instruments, and to act as a high-bandwidth communications relay for other Mars missions.

### Specifications
- **Mass**: Launch weight 2180 kg, dry weight 1031 kg, payload weight 139 kg, propellant mass 1149 kg.
- **Power**: Powered by a spacecraft solar array and six MR-107 thrusters.
- **Orbital Characteristics**: Sun-synchronous orbit around Mars. Apoapsis: 320 km, Periapsis: 255 km, Orbital Inclination: 93 degrees.
- **Body Parent**: Mars (since March 10, 2006).
- **Operator**: Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
- **Manufacturer**: Lockheed Martin Space.

### Mission Profile
- **Launch Date**: August 12, 2005, at 11:43:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas V 401 (AV-007).
- **Launch Contractor**: International Launch Services.
- **Mars Orbit Insertion**: March 10, 2006.
- **Significant Events**: Rocket launch (Aug 12, 2005), Orbital activity at Mars (Mar 10, 2006).

### Scientific Instruments
MRO carries the following key scientific instruments:
- HiRISE (High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment)
- CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars)
- Context Camera
- Mars Climate Sounder
- Mars Color Imager
- SHARAD (Shallow Radar)

### Operational Status
- **Satellite Of**: Sun-synchronous orbit.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID: 2005-029A, NSSDCA ID: 2005-029A, NAIF ID: -74.
- **Website**: https://mars.nasa.gov/mro/ (English).
- **Commons Category**: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
- **Sitelink Count**: 54 (as of source data).

## References

1. [Source](https://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/monograph/series13/DeepCommo_Chapter6--141029.pdf)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mro.htm)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://mars.nasa.gov/files/mro/MRO-060303.pdf)
6. [Source](https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=9abacfc67d2f5add60c578a0bc605c970921a74a)
7. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2005-029A)
8. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)