← ALL PROBES
DISTANCE FROM SUN1.5855 AU
DISTANCE FROM EARTH1.4963 AU
VELOCITY22.029 km/s
LIGHT TIME12 min
ACTIVE
UPDATED4h ago
1.5855
AU FROM SUN
DISTANCE
237,187,424 km
79,304
KM/H
VELOCITY
21 years, 73 days
MISSION DURATION
AND COUNTING
12
MINUTES LIGHT TIME
ONE-WAY SIGNAL DELAY
2,180
KG
LAUNCH MASS
1
TARGETS
Mars
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is a orbiter mission by NASA / JPL targeting Mars. Launched August 12, 2005. Currently 1.5855 AU from the Sun.
ABOUT MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER
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.
KEY DISCOVERIES
- Seasonal briny water flows on Mars slopes
- Massive subsurface ice deposits
- Landing site selection for Curiosity and Perseverance
TECHNOLOGY & FIRSTS
- 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
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (6)
HiRISE (25cm/pixel camera)
CTX (Context camera)
MARCI (Mars Color Imager)
CRISM (Visible/IR spectrometer)
MCS (Climate sounder)
SHARAD (Subsurface radar)
SPACECRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Launch Mass2,180 kg (4,807 lbs)
PowerSolar panels (2000W)
Launch VehicleAtlas V 401
Launch DateAugust 12, 2005
Arrival DateMarch 10, 2006
ProgramMars Exploration
MISSION TRAJECTORY
1
Mars
🚀 LAUNCH MISSION