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Space Topics: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Mission Objectives

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) will examine the Red Planet in unprecedented detail, using its six state-of-the-art instruments to check out Martian features ranging from the top of the atmosphere to underground, and then serve as a communications relay for other landed missions. Specifically, MRO will:

  • study the present climate on Mars and how it changes over time
  • perform close study of landforms on Mars, particularly those that are thought to be associated with liquid water
  • search for sites showing evidence of the activity of liquid water
  • help in the choice of landing sites for future missions
  • return scientific data from the rovers and spacecraft that are on Mars, or soon to be on Mars, providing a high-data-rate communications relay