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Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission searches for evidence of water and ice, maps the Martian surface and atmosphere at high resolution, assesses future landing sites, and provides a high-rate communications bridge for surface and orbital spacecraft.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
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Identity

Aliases
MRO missionMars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission
Name
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Status
active

Details

Astronauts
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Description
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission searches for evidence of water and ice, maps the Martian surface and atmosphere at high resolution, assesses future landing sites, and provides a high-rate communications bridge for surface and orbital spacecraft.
Destination
Near-polar, low-altitude Mars orbit at approximately 250–316 km above the surface for high-resolution mapping of Mars, atmospheric and subsurface studies, landing-site assessment, and relay support for surface missions
Launch Site
Outcome
MRO reached Mars in March 2006 after a seven-month cruise and six-month aerobraking campaign. It completed its prime survey and continues an extended science and relay mission whose high-resolution imagery and telecommunications support have become central to Mars exploration.
Programs
Start Date
2005-08-12
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Creation Time
July 30, 2026 at 20:11:39 UTC
Updated Time
August 22, 2026 at 13:53:57 UTC

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