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NASA / JPL

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

ACTIVEMarsOrbiter
DISTANCE FROM SUN1.5095 AU
DISTANCE FROM EARTH1.8922 AU
VELOCITY25.577 km/s
LIGHT TIME16 min
ACTIVE
UPDATEDmoments ago
1.5095
AU FROM SUN
DISTANCE
225,817,986 km
92,077
KM/H
VELOCITY
21 years, 11 days
MISSION DURATION
AND COUNTING
16
MINUTES LIGHT TIME
ONE-WAY SIGNAL DELAY
2,180
KG
LAUNCH MASS
1
TARGETS
Mars
Live · 3DTrack Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in the Live 3D Solar SystemSee Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s real-time position among the planets, moons & other spacecraft — in a full-screen interactive view.Launch 3D view

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is a orbiter mission by NASA / JPL targeting Mars. Launched August 12, 2005. Currently 1.5095 AU from the Sun.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been studying Mars from orbit since 2006. It carries HiRISE, the most powerful camera ever sent to another planet, capable of resolving objects as small as a desk on the Martian surface. MRO serves as the primary communications relay for Mars surface missions and has returned more data than all other Mars missions combined.

  • Seasonal briny water flows on Mars slopes
  • Massive subsurface ice deposits
  • Landing site selection for Curiosity and Perseverance
  • Most powerful camera ever sent to another planet (HiRISE)
  • Primary data relay for Mars surface missions
  • Has returned more data than all other Mars missions combined
HiRISE (25cm/pixel camera)
CTX (Context camera)
MARCI (Mars Color Imager)
CRISM (Visible/IR spectrometer)
MCS (Climate sounder)
SHARAD (Subsurface radar)
Launch Mass2,180 kg (4,807 lbs)
PowerSolar panels (2000W)
🌎Launch VehicleAtlas V 401
📅Launch DateAugust 12, 2005
🎯Arrival DateMarch 10, 2006
💼ProgramMars Exploration