NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is a multipurpose spacecraft designed to conduct reconnaissance and exploration of Mars from orbit. The $720 million USD spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin under the supervision of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It was launched August 12, 2005 and attained Martian orbit on March 10, 2006. It finished aerobraking, entered its final science orbit and began its primary science phase in November 2006. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States Government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... Lockheed Martin Space Systems is one of the 5 major business divisions of Lockheed Martin. ... The University of Arizona (UA or U of A) is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. ... The Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is a private institution of higher learning located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), located in Laurel, Maryland, is a not-for-profit, university-affiliated research center employing 4,000 people. ... The Italian Space Agency (Italian: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana; ASI) was founded in 1988 to promote, co-ordinate and conduct space activities in Italy. ... Malin Space Science Systems is a San Diego, California company that designs, develops, and operates instruments to fly on unmanned spacecraft. ... The JPL complex in Pasadena, Ca. ... Adjectives: Martian Atmosphere Surface pressure: 0. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (70th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Atlas V is a launch vehicle formerly built by Lockheed Martin and now built by the Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture United Launch Alliance in Decatur, Alabama. ... NASA logo The National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) is a department in NASAs Solar System Exploration Division. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States Government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... The Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station. ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... Adjectives: Martian Atmosphere Surface pressure: 0. ... ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Indian Ocean Territory,[1] the British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 2. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in Pasadena and La CaÃ±ada Flintridge, near Los Angeles, California, USA, builds and operates unmanned spacecraft for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (70th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... An artists conception of a spacecraft aerobraking Aerobraking is a technique used by spacecraft in which it uses drag within a planetary atmosphere to reduce its velocity relative to the planet. ...

MRO contains a host of scientific instruments such as cameras, spectrometers, and radar, which are used to analyze the landforms, stratigraphy, minerals, and ice of Mars. It paves the way for future spacecraft by monitoring daily weather and surface conditions, studying potential landing sites, and testing a new telecommunications system. MRO's telecommunications system will transfer more data back to Earth than all previous interplanetary missions combined, and MRO will serve as a highly capable relay satellite for future missions.^[1] Large format camera lens. ... A spectrometer is an optical instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. ... This long range Radar antenna, known as ALTAIR, is used to detect and track space objects in conjunction with ABM testing at the Ronald Reagan Test Site on the Kwajalein atoll[1]. Radar is a system that uses radio waves to determine and map the location, direction, and/or speed... A landform comprises a geomorphological unit. ... Stratigraphy, a branch of geology, studies rock layers and layering (stratification). ... Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. ... Snowflakes by Wilson Bentley, 1902 Ice is the name given to any one of the 14 known solid phases of water. ... Data transmission is the conveyance of any kind of information from one space to another. ...

MRO joined five other spacecraft studying Mars: Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Express, Mars Odyssey, and two Mars Exploration Rovers. Artists conception of Mars Global Surveyor (NASA) The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) is a US spacecraft developed by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and launched November 1996. ... Oblique view of the Reull Vallis near the Hellas basin, rendered from data obtained by the Mars Express orbiters High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) The Mars Express Orbiter is part of the Mars Express program, a European Space Agency (ESA) mission to Mars. ... Artists concept of the 2001 Mars Odyssey Spacecraft 2001 Mars Odyssey is an unmanned spacecraft orbiting the planet Mars. ... Artists Concept of Rover on Mars (credit: Maas Digital LLC) NASAs Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Mission is an ongoing unmanned Mars exploration mission, commenced in 2003, that sent two robotic rovers Spirit and Opportunity to explore the Martian surface and geology. ...

Prior to launch

Mars Surveyor Orbiter, an orbiting satellite whose hallmark was a high-resolution camera, was first proposed to NASA in 1999. It was one of two missions being considered for the 2003 launch opportunity; however, during the proposal process the orbiter competed and lost against what became known as the Mars Exploration Rovers. The orbiter mission was rescheduled for launch in 2005,^[2] and NASA announced its final name, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, on October 26, 2000.^[3]. Launch window is a term used in aerospace to describe a time period in which a particular rocket must be launched. ... Artists Concept of Rover on Mars NASAs Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Mission (since 2003) is a unmanned Mars exploration mission that includes sending two Rovers (robots) to explore the Martian surface and geology. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States Government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

MRO is modeled after NASA's highly successful Mars Global Surveyor to conduct surveillance of Mars from orbit. Early specifications of the satellite included a large camera to take high resolution pictures of Mars. In this regard, Jim Garvin, the Mars exploration program scientist for NASA, proclaimed that MRO would be a "microscope in orbit".^[4] The satellite was also to include a visible-near-infrared spectrograph. Artists conception of Mars Global Surveyor (NASA) The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) is a US spacecraft developed by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and launched November 1996. ...

On October 3, 2001, NASA chose Lockheed Martin as the primary contractor for the spacecraft's fabrication.^[5] By the end of 2001 all of the mission's instruments were selected. There were no major setbacks during MRO's construction, and the spacecraft was moved to John F. Kennedy Space Center on May 1, 2005 to prepare it for launch.^[6] October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Mission objectives

MRO will conduct science operations for two Earth years, from November 2006 to November 2008. One of the mission's main goals is to map the Martian landscape with high-resolution cameras in order to choose other landing sites for future missions. These include the Phoenix Lander, which will explore the Martian Arctic, and the Mars Science Laboratory, a highly maneuverable rover. MRO will help planners evaluate both the scientific value and the landing risks for possible landing sites for these missions. It will also provide a transmission relay and critical navigation data during their landing. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (4000x2944, 828 KB) DescriÃ§Ã£o do ficheiro Artists rendering of a Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (4000x2944, 828 KB) DescriÃ§Ã£o do ficheiro Artists rendering of a Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. ... For the Star Trek spacecraft, see Phoenix (Star Trek). ... 2006 Mars Science Laboratory concept 2003 Mars Science Laboratory concept Schematic diagram of the planned rover components, updated version Schematic diagram of the planned rover components The Mars Science Laboratory (or MSL for short) is a NASA rover scheduled to launch in December 2009 and perform a precision landing on...

MRO also uses its on-board scientific equipment to study the Martian climate, weather, atmosphere, and geology, and to search for signs of water in the polar caps and underground. In addition, MRO is looking for the remains of the previously lost Mars Polar Lander and Beagle 2 spacecraft,^[7] and serves as the first step in setting up an internet protocol for the different planets in our solar system. After its main science operations are completed, the probe's extended mission will continue using the communication and navigation system for future lander and rover probes.^[8] Weather is a term that encompasses phenomena in the atmosphere of a planet. ... View of Jupiters active atmosphere, including the Great Red Spot. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... A falling water droplet Water (from the Anglo-Saxon and Low German wæter) is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless substance that is essential to all known forms of life and is the most universal solvent. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Conceptual drawing of the Mars Polar Lander on the surface of Mars. ... Beagle 2 as it would have looked on Mars Beagle 2 was an unsuccessful British landing spacecraft that formed part of the European Space Agencys 2003 Mars Express mission. ... The Internet Protocol (IP) is a data-oriented protocol used for communicating data across a packet-switched internetwork. ... A planet (from the Greek πλανήτης, planetes or wanderers) is a body of considerable mass that orbits a star and that produces very little or no energy through nuclear fusion. ...

Launch and orbital insertion

On August 12, 2005, MRO was launched aboard an Atlas V-401 rocket^[9] from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Centaur upper stage of the rocket completed its burns over a fifty-six minute period and placed MRO in interplanetary transfer orbit towards Mars.^[10] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2040x3000, 510 KB) The MRO Spaceprobe lauches on August the 12. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2040x3000, 510 KB) The MRO Spaceprobe lauches on August the 12. ... Atlas V is a launch vehicle formerly built by Lockheed Martin and now built by the Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture United Launch Alliance in Decatur, Alabama. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Atlas V is a launch vehicle formerly built by Lockheed Martin and now built by the Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture United Launch Alliance in Decatur, Alabama. ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... Model of Centaur with Surveyor as payload. ... In astronautics and aerospace engineering, the Hohmann transfer orbit is an orbital maneuver that, under standard assumption, moves a spacecraft from one circular orbit to another using two engine impulses. ...

MRO cruised through interplanetary space for 7.5 months before reaching Mars, and most of the scientific instruments and experiments were tested and calibrated en route. To ensure proper orbital insertion upon reaching Mars, four trajectory correction maneuvers were planned and a fifth emergency maneuver was discussed.^[11] However, only three trajectory correction maneuvers were necessary, saving fuel for MRO's extended mission.^[12]

MRO began orbital insertion by approaching Mars on March 10, 2006 and passing above its southern hemisphere at an altitude of 370–400 km (190 mi). All six of MRO's main engines burned for 27 minutes to slow the probe from ~2,900 m/s to ~1,900 m/s (6,500 mph to 4,250 mph). The helium pressurization tank was colder than expected, which reduced the pressure in the fuel tank by about 21 kPa (3 psi). The reduced pressure caused the engine thrust to be diminished by 2%, but MRO automatically compensated by extending the burn time by 33 seconds.^[13] March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (70th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... A pressure gauge reading in PSI (red scale) and kPa (black scale) The pound-force per square inch (symbol: lbf/in2) is a non-SI unit of pressure based on avoirdupois units. ...

Orbital insertion placed the orbiter in a highly elliptical polar orbit with a period of approximately 35.5 hours.^[14] Shortly after insertion, the periapsis — the point in the orbit closest to Mars — was 3,806 km from the planet's center (426 km from its surface). The apoapsis — the point in the orbit farthest from Mars — was 47,972 km from the planet's center (44,500 km from its surface). Download high resolution version (890x692, 198 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (890x692, 198 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Two bodies with similar mass orbiting around a common barycenter with elliptic orbits. ... This article is about several astronomical terms (apogee & perigee, aphelion & perihelion, generic equivalents based on apsis, and related but rarer terms. ... This article is about several astronomical terms (apogee & perigee, aphelion & perihelion, generic equivalents based on apsis, and related but rarer terms. ...

On March 30, 2006, MRO began the process of aerobraking, a three-step procedure that cuts in half the fuel needed to achieve a lower, more circular orbit with a shorter period. First, during its first five orbits of the planet (one Earth week), MRO used its thrusters to drop the periapsis of its orbit into aerobraking altitude. This altitude depends on the thickness of the atmosphere because Martian atmospheric density changes with its seasons. Second, while using its thrusters to make minor corrections to its periapsis altitude, MRO maintained aerobraking altitude for 445 planetary orbits (about 5 Earth months) to reduce the apoapsis of the orbit to 450 km (280 mi). This was done in such a way so as to not heat the spacecraft too much, but also dip enough into the atmosphere to slow the spacecraft down. After the process was complete, MRO used its thrusters to move its periapsis out of the edge of the Martian atmosphere, August 30, 2006.^[15]^[16] March 30 is the 89th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (90th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... An artists conception of a spacecraft aerobraking Aerobraking is a technique used by spacecraft in which it uses drag within a planetary atmosphere to reduce its velocity relative to the planet. ... Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has a very different atmosphere from that of Earth. ... This article is about divisions of a year. ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

In September of 2006 MRO fired its thrusters twice more to fine-tune its final, nearly circular orbit approximately 250 to 316 km (155 to 196 mi) above the Martian surface.^[17] The SHARAD dipole antennae were deployed the September 16. All of the scientific instruments were tested and most were turned off prior to the solar conjunction which occurred from October 7, 2006 to November 6, 2006. The "primary science phase" began after the conjunction ended. Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Wikinews is a free-content news source and a project of the Wikimedia Foundation. ... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... Solar Conjunction occurs when a planet or other solar system object is on the opposite side of the sun than the Earth. ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 55 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

On November 17, 2006 NASA announced the successful test of the MRO as an orbital communications relay. Using the NASA rover "Spirit" as the point of origin for the transmission, the MRO acted as a relay for transmitting data back to Earth. 17 November is also the name of a Marxist group in Greece, coinciding with the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The mission patch for Spirit, featuring Marvin the Martian. ...

Events and discoveries

On September 29, 2006, MRO took its first high resolution image from its science orbit. This image is said to resolve items as small as 90 cm (3 feet) in diameter. Major events in the launch, aerobraking, and transition phases of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Valles Marineris cuts a wide swath across the face of Mars Valles Marineris (Latin for Mariner Valley, named after the Mariner 9 Mars orbiter of 1971-72 which discovered it. ... Adjectives: Martian Atmosphere Surface pressure: 0. ... September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

On October 6, 2006, NASA released detailed pictures from the MRO of Mars' Victoria Crater along with the Opportunity rover on the rim above it. ^[18] October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States Government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... Victoria Crater is an impact crater located at 5. ... The mission patch for Opportunity, featuring Duck Dodgers (Daffy Duck). ...

In November 2006, problems began to surface in the operation of two MRO spacecraft instruments. A stepping mechanism in the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) skipped on multiple occasions resulting in a field of view that is slightly out of position. This instrument has been restowed while investigation of its problems continue. Also, a significant increase in noise and resulting bad pixels has been observed in a half dozen camera detector pairs in the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE). Operation of this camera at an elevated temperature has helped, but concern currently exists that all detectors in HiRISE have a generic problem which may only worsen with time. For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... A pixel (a contraction of picture element) is one of the many tiny dots that make up the representation of a picture in a computers memory. ... A worker prepares HiRISE before it is shipped for attachment to the spacecraft The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera is a camera onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. ...

Despite these problems with the HiRISE camera, it continues to send back images of stunning clarity which have enabled remarkable discoveries. Foremost among these is the announcement in February 2007 of banded terrain observations indicating the presence and action of liquid carbon dioxide or water on the surface of Mars in its recent geological past.

Instruments

Six science instruments are included on the mission along with two "science-facility instruments", which use data from engineering subsystems to collect science data. Three technology experiments will test and demonstrate new equipment for future missions.^[19] It is expected MRO will obtain about 5,000 images a year.^[20]

HiRISE

The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera is a 0.5 m reflecting telescope, the largest ever carried on a deep space mission, and has a resolution of 1 microradian (μrad), or 0.3 m from an altitude of 300 km. In comparison, satellite images of Earth are generally available with a resolution of 0.1 m, and satellite images on Google Maps are available to 1 m.^[21] HiRISE collects images in three color bands, 400 to 600 nm (blue-green or B-G), 550 to 850 nm (red) and 800 to 1,000 nm (near infrared or NIR).^[22] Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... HiRISE The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera is a camera onboard the Mars Reconaissance Orbiter. ... A reflecting telescope (reflector) is an optical telescope which uses a combination of curved and plane (flat) mirrors to reflect light and form an image (catoptric), rather than lenses to refract or bend light to form an image (dioptric). ... Outer space (also called just space), as a name for a region, refers to the relatively empty parts of the Universe, outside the atmospheres of celestial bodies. ... Angular resolution describes the resolving power of any optical device such as a telescope, a microscope, a camera, or an eye. ... The radian (symbol: rad) is the SI unit of plane angle. ... Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made from artificial satellites. ... Screenshot of Google Maps showing a route from Toronto to Ottawa on the 400-Series highways. ... For other uses, see Blue (disambiguation). ... Mossy, green fountain in Wattens, Austria. ... The metre, or meter (symbol: m) is the SI base unit of length. ... Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye. ... Image of a small dog taken in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than visible light, but shorter than microwave radiation. ...

Red color images are 20,264 pixels across (6 km wide), and B-G and NIR are 4,048 pixels across (1.2 km wide). HiRISE's on-board computer reads these lines in time with the orbiter's ground speed, and images are potentially unlimited in length. Practically however, their length is limited by the computer's 28 Gigabit (Gb) memory capacity, and the nominal maximum size is 20,000 × 40,000 pixels (800 megapixels) and 4,000 × 40,000 pixels (160 megapixels) for B-G and NIR images. Each 16.4 Gb image is compressed to 5 Gb before transmission and release to the general public on the HiRISE website in JPEG 2000 format.^[23]^[24] To facilitate the mapping of potential landing sites, HiRISE can produce stereo pairs of images from which topography can be calculated to an accuracy of 0.25 m.^[25] HiRISE was built by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. This example shows an image with a portion greatly enlarged, in which the individual pixels are rendered as little squares and can easily be seen. ... Ground speed is the speed of an aircraft compared to the ground without factoring in the wind or other weather conditions. ... A gigabit is a unit of information or computer storage, abbreviated Gbit or sometimes Gb. ... A pixel (a contraction of picture element) is one of the many tiny dots that make up the representation of a picture in a computers memory. ... JPEG 2000 is a wavelet-based image compression standard. ... Photogrammetry is a measurement technology in which the three-dimensional coordinates of points on an object are determined by measurements made in two or more photographic images taken from different positions (see stereoscopy). ... Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. ...

CTX

The Context Imager (CTX) provides grayscale images (500 to 800 nm) up to 40 km wide with a pixel resolution of 6 m. The CTX is designed to provide context maps for the targeted observations of HiRISE and CRISM. The optics of CTX consist of a 350 mm focal length Maksutov Cassegrain telescope with a 5,064 pixel wide line array CCD similar to the HiRISE instrument. The instrument takes pictures 30 km (19 mi) wide and has enough internal memory to store an image 160 km long before loading it into the main computer.^[26] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... In computing, a grayscale or greyscale digital image is an image in which the value of each pixel is a single sample. ... This example shows an image with a portion greatly enlarged, in which the individual pixels are rendered as little squares and can easily be seen. ... The focal point F and focal length f of a positive lens, a negative lens, a concave mirror, and a convex mirror. ... Named after Russian optician Dmitri Maksutov (1896-1964), the Maksutov telescope is a type of Cassegrain reflecting telescope that uses a spherical primary mirror in conjunction with a meniscus-shaped correcting plate at the entrance pupil in order to correct for spherical aberration. ... Light path in a Cassegrain reflector First developed in 1672 by Laurent Cassegrain, a Cassegrain Telescope this type of reflector is a combination of a prime concave and a secondary convex mirror, both aligned axially. ... A specially developed CCD used for ultraviolet imaging in a wire bonded package. ... NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is a multipurpose spacecraft designed to conduct reconnaissance and exploration of Mars from orbit. ...

MARCI

The Mars Color Imager (MARCI) is a wide-angle, low-resolution camera that views the surface of Mars in five visible and two ultraviolet bands. Each day, MARCI collects about 84 images and produces a global map with pixel resolutions of 1 to 10 km. This map provides a daily weather report for Mars, helps to characterize its seasonal and annual variations, and maps the presence of water vapor and ozone in its atmosphere.^[27] Image File history File links MRO_MARCI_experiment. ... Image File history File links MRO_MARCI_experiment. ... The optical spectrum (light or visible spectrum) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. ... UV redirects here. ...

CRISM

The Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) instrument is a visible and near infrared (VNIR) spectrometer that will produce detailed maps of the surface mineralogy of Mars. It operates from 370 to 3920 nm, measures the spectrum in 544 channels (each 6.55 nm wide), and has a resolution of 18 m at an altitude of 300 km. CRISM is being used to identify minerals and chemicals indicative of the past or present existence of water on the surface of Mars. These materials include iron, oxides, phyllosilicates, and carbonates, which have characteristic patterns in their visible-infrared energy.^[28] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 691 Ã— 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1645 Ã— 1427 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 691 Ã— 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1645 Ã— 1427 pixel, file size: 1. ... A NASA engineer and the CRISM instrument. ... The optical spectrum (light or visible spectrum) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. ... Image of a small dog taken in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than visible light, but shorter than microwave radiation. ... A spectrometer is an optical instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. ... Mineralogy is an earth science that involves the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical (including optical) properties of minerals. ... This article is actively undergoing a major edit. ... Angular resolution describes the resolving power of any optical device such as a telescope, a microscope, a camera, or an eye. ... General Name, Symbol, Number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Standard atomic weight 55. ... The silicate minerals make up the largest and most important class of rock-forming minerals. ... Carbonate is an anion with a charge of -2 and an empirical formula of CO32-. An aqueous solution of carbon dioxide contains a minute amount of H2CO3, called carbonic acid, which dissociates to form hydrogen ions and carbonate ions. ...

MCS

The Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) is a spectrometer with one visible/near infrared channel (0.3 to 3.0 μm) and eight far infrared (12 to 50 μm) channels. These channels were selected to measure temperature, pressure, water vapor and dust levels. MCS will observe the atmosphere on the horizon of Mars (as viewed from MRO) by breaking it up into vertical slices and taking measurements within each slice in 5 km (3 mi) increments. These measurements are assembled into daily global weather maps to show the basic variables of Martian weather: temperature, pressure, humidity and dust density.^[29] The Mars climate sounder is a major instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. ...

SHARAD

MRO's Shallow Subsurface Radar (SHARAD) experiment is designed to probe the internal structure of the Martian polar ice caps. It also gathers planet-wide information about underground layers of ice, rock and possibly liquid water that might be accessible from the surface. SHARAD uses HF radio waves between 15 and 25 MHz, a range that allows it to resolve layers as thin as 7 m to a maximum depth of 1 km. It has a horizontal resolution as high as 0.3 by 3 km. SHARAD is designed to operate in conjunction with Mars Express's MARSIS, which has lower resolution but penetrates to a much greater depth. Both SHARAD and MARSIS were made by the Italian Space Agency.^[30]^[31] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (5200x4200, 1370 KB) This image is an artists concept of a view looking down on NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (5200x4200, 1370 KB) This image is an artists concept of a view looking down on NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. ... An ice cap is a dome-shaped ice mass that covers less than 50,000 kmÂ² of land area (usually covering a highland area). ... Snowflakes by Wilson Bentley, 1902 Ice is the name given to any one of the 14 known solid phases of water. ... The rocky side of a mountain creek near OrosÃ, Costa Rica. ... High frequency (HF) radio frequencies are between 3 and 30 MHz. ... MegaHertz (MHz) is the name given to one million (106) Hertz, a measure of frequency. ... Concept model of the Mars Express spacecraft Mars Express is a Mars exploration mission of the European Space Agency and the first planetary mission attempted by the agency. ... MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) is a low frequency, pulse-limited radar sounder and altimeter used on the ESA Mars Express mission. ... The Italian Space Agency (Italian: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana; ASI) was founded in 1988 to promote, co-ordinate and conduct space activities in Italy. ...

Engineering instruments

In addition to its imaging equipment, MRO carries a variety of engineering instruments. The Gravity Field Investigation Package measures variations in the Martian gravitational field through variations in the spacecraft's velocity. Velocity changes are detected by measuring doppler shifts in MRO's radio signals received on Earth. The package also includes sensitive on-board accelerometers used to deduce the in situ atmospheric density of Mars during aerobraking.^[32] The Doppler effect is the apparent change in frequency or wavelength of a wave that is perceived by an observer moving relative to the source of the waves. ...

The Electra is a UHF software defined radio designed to communicate with other spacecraft as they approach, land, and operate on Mars. In addition to protocol controlled inter-spacecraft data links of 1 kbit/s to 2 Mbit/s, Electra also provides Doppler data collection, open loop recording and a highly accurate timing service based on a 5e-13 USO. Doppler information for approaching vehicles can be used for final descent targeting or descent and landing trajectory recreation. Doppler information on landed vehicles will also enable scientists to accurately determine the surface location of Mars landers and rovers. The two MER spacecraft currently on Mars utilize an earlier generation UHF relay radio providing similar functions through the Mars Odyssey orbiter. The Electra radio has used the MER spacecraft to prove its functionality but it is not scheduled to provide formal relay services until the 2008 arrival of the Phoenix Mars lander. Because the Electra radio is software defined down to the modem level, new modulation, coding or protocol functions can be added or updated while the MRO spacecraft is in orbit around Mars. ^[33] This article is about the radio frequency. ... Artists Concept of Rover on Mars (credit: Maas Digital LLC) NASAs Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Mission is an ongoing unmanned Mars exploration mission, commenced in 2003, that sent two robotic rovers Spirit and Opportunity to explore the Martian surface and geology. ... For the Star Trek spacecraft, see Phoenix (Star Trek). ...

The Optical Navigation Camera images the Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, against background stars to precisely determine MRO's orbit. Although moon imaging is not mission critical, it was included as a technology test for future orbiting and landing of spacecraft.^[34] The Optical Navigation Camera was tested successfully in February and March of 2006.^[35] Phobos (IPA or , Greek Î¦ÏŒÎ²Î¿Ï‚: Fright), is the larger and innermost of Mars two moons (the other being Deimos), and is named after Phobos, son of Ares (Mars) from Greek Mythology. ... Deimos (IPA or ; Greek Î”ÎµÎ¯Î¼Î¿Ï‚: Dread), is the smaller and outermost of Marsâ€™ two moons, named after Deimos from Greek Mythology. ...

Engineering data

Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Structure

Workers at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver assembled the spacecraft structure and attached the instruments. Instruments were constructed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, the Italian Space Agency in Rome, Italy, and Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego, California.^[36] The total cost of the spacecraft was $720 million USD.^[37] Lockheed Martin Space Systems is one of the 5 major business divisions of Lockheed Martin. ... The University of Arizona (UA or U of A) is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. ... The Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) is a research center for planetary science located in Tucson, Arizona. ... Nickname: The Old Pueblo Location in Pima County and the state of Arizona Coordinates: Country United States State Arizona Counties Pima Government - Mayor Bob Walkup (R) Area - City 195. ... The Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, is a private institution of higher learning located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), located in Laurel, Maryland, is a not-for-profit, university-affiliated research center employing 4,000 people. ... Motto: Progressio Per Populum (Progress Through People) Location of Laurel in Maryland Coordinates: Country United States State Maryland County Prince Georges County Incorporated 1870 Mayor Craig A. Moe City Council Ward 1: Janis L. Robison Ward1: Gayle Snyder Ward2: Frederick Smalls (Pr. ... The Italian Space Agency (Italian: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana; ASI) was founded in 1988 to promote, co-ordinate and conduct space activities in Italy. ... The Roman Colosseum Rome (Italian and Latin Roma) is the capital city of Italy, and of its Lazio region. ... Malin Space Science Systems is a San Diego, California company that designs, develops, and operates instruments to fly on unmanned spacecraft. ... Nickname: Americas Finest City Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates: Country United States State California County San Diego Founded July 16, 1769 Incorporated March 27, 1850 Government - Mayor Jerry Sanders - City Attorney Michael Aguirre - City Council Scott Peters Kevin Faulconer Toni Atkins Tony Young Brian Maienschein...

The structure is made of mostly carbon composites and aluminum-honeycombed plates. The titanium fuel tank takes up most of the volume and mass of the spacecraft and provides most of its structural integrity. The spacecraft's total mass is less than 2,180 kg (4,806 lb) with an unfueled dry mass less than 1,031 kg (2,273 lb).^[38] Graphite-reinforced plastic or carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP or CRP), is a strong, light and very expensive composite material or fibre reinforced plastic. ... Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ... General Name, Symbol, Number titanium, Ti, 22 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 4, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 47. ... Taipei 101, the worlds tallest building as of 2004. ... Unsolved problems in physics: What causes anything to have mass? The U.S. National Prototype Kilogram, which currently serves as the primary standard for measuring mass in the U.S. Mass is the property of a physical object that quantifies the amount of matter and energy it is equivalent to. ... The U.S. National Prototype Kilogram, which currently serves as the primary standard for measuring mass in the U.S. It was assigned to the United States in 1889 and is periodically recertified and traceable to the primary international standard, The Kilogram, held at the Bureau International des Poids et... The pound (abbreviations: lb or, sometimes in the United States, #) is a unit of mass in a number of different systems, including various systems of units of mass that formed part of English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... In aerospace engineering, mass ratio is a measure of the proportion of a rocket that is propellant. ...

Power systems

MRO gets all of its electrical power from two solar panels, each of which can move independently around two axes (up-down, or left-right rotation). Each solar panel measures 5.35 × 2.53 m and has 9.5 m² (102 ft²) covered with 3,744 individual photovoltaic cells. Its high-efficiency triple junction solar cells are able to convert more than 26% of the sun's energy directly into electricity and are connected together to produce a total output of 32 volts. At Mars, the two panels produce 1,000 watts of power; in contrast, the panels would generate 3,000 watts in a comparable Earth orbit by being closer to the Sun.^[39] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3000x2492, 988 KB) Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter solar panel tests (May 20, 2005) original description: In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, technicians inspect the solar panels for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) during an electromagnetic interference verification test. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3000x2492, 988 KB) Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter solar panel tests (May 20, 2005) original description: In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, technicians inspect the solar panels for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) during an electromagnetic interference verification test. ... A laundromat in California with flat-plate solar water heating collectors on its roof. ... A solar cell, made from a monocrystalline silicon wafer A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy. ... The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential and voltage (derived from the ampere and watt). ... The watt (symbol: W) is the SI derived unit of power, equal to one joule per second. ...

MRO has two nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries used to power the spacecraft when it is not facing the sun. Each battery has an energy storage capacity of 50 ampere-hours (180 kC). The full range of the batteries cannot be used due to voltage constraints on the spacecraft, but allows the operators to extend the battery life—a valuable capability, given that battery drain is one of the most common causes of long-term satellite failure. Planners anticipate that only 40% of the batteries' capacities will be required during the lifetime of the spacecraft.^[39] Modern, high capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries A nickel metal hydride (or NiMH) battery is a type of rechargeable battery similar to a nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery but which does not contain expensive (and environmentally risky) cadmium. ... Current can be measured by a galvanometer, via the deflection of a magnetic needle in the magnetic field created by the current. ... The coulomb (symbol: C) is the SI unit of electric charge. ...

Electronic systems

MRO‘s main computer is a 133 MHz, 10.4 million transistor, 32-bit, RAD750 processor. This processor is a radiation-hardened version of a PowerPC 750 or G3 processor with a specially-built motherboard. The RAD750 is a successor to the RAD6000. This processor may seem underpowered in comparison to a modern PC or Mac processor, but it is extremely reliable, resilient, and can function in solar flare-ravaged deep space.^[40] The operating system software is VxWorks and has extensive fault protection protocols and monitoring.^[41] MegaHertz (MHz) is the name given to one million (106) Hertz, a measure of frequency. ... Assorted discrete transistors A transistor is a semiconductor device, commonly used as an amplifier. ... The RAD750 is a radiation-hardened single board computer, based on IBMs PowerPC 750. ... Microelectronics designed for environments with high levels of ionizing radiation have special design challenges. ... IBM PowerPC 601 Microprocessor PowerPC is a RISC microprocessor architecture created by the 1991 Appleâ€“IBMâ€“Motorola alliance, known as AIM. Originally intended for personal computers, PowerPC CPUs have since become popular embedded and high-performance processors as well. ... 300 MHz Motorola PowerPC 750 processor with off-die L2 cache on the CPU module of a PowerMac G3. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The RAD6000 radiation-hardened single board computer, based on the IBM POWER CPU, is manufactured by BAE SYSTEMS and is mainly known as the onboard computer of numerous NASA spacecraft. ... While being one of the first personal computers, the Altair 8800 was considered a mere toy due its lack of abilities. ... The first Macintosh computer, introduced in 1984, upgraded to a 512K Fat Mac. The Macintosh or Mac, is a line of personal computers designed, developed, manufactured, and marketed by Apple Computer. ... A Solar Flare and CME, courtesy NASA A solar flare is a violent explosion in the Suns atmosphere with an energy equivalent to a billion megatons, traveling normally at about 1 million km per hour (about 0. ... VxWorks is a Unix-like real-time operating system made and sold by Wind River Systems of Alameda, California, USA. Like most RTOSes, VxWorks includes a multitasking kernel with pre-emptive scheduling and fast interrupt response, extensive inter-process communications and synchronization facilities, and a file system. ...

Data is stored in a 160 Gb (20 GB) flash memory module consisting of over 700 memory chips, each with a 256 Mbit capacity. This memory capacity is not actually that large considering the amount of data to be acquired; for example, a single image from the HiRISE camera can be as large as 28 Gb.^[41] A gigabit is a unit of information or computer storage, abbreviated Gbit or sometimes Gb. ... A gigabyte (symbol GB) is a unit of measurement in computers of one thousand million bytes (the same as one billion bytes in the short scale usage). ... The Megabit is a unit of information storage, abbreviated Mbit or sometimes Mb. ...

Attitude determination

In order to determine the spacecraft's orbit and facilitate maneuvers, sixteen sun sensors — eight primaries and eight backups — are placed around the spacecraft to calibrate solar direction relative to the orbiter's frame. Two star trackers, digital cameras used to map the position of cataloged stars, provide NASA with full, three-axis knowledge of the spacecraft orientation and attitude. A primary and backup Miniature Inertial Measurement Unit (MIMU), provided by Honeywell, measures changes to the spacecraft attitude as well as any non-gravitationally induced changes to its linear velocity. Each MIMU is a combination of three accelerometers and three ring-laser gyroscopes. These systems are all critically important to MRO, as it must be able to point its camera to a very high precision in order to take the high-quality pictures that the mission requires. It has also been specifically designed to minimize any vibrations on the spacecraft, so as to allow its instruments to take images without any distortions caused by vibrations.^[42] This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... STAR is an acronym for: Organizations Society for Telescopy, Astronomy, and Radio, a non-profit New Jersey astronomy club. ... MIMU Exploded View (From Marlim. ... Honeywell Heating Specialties Company Stock Certificate dated 1924 signed by Mark C. Honeywell - courtesy of Scripophily. ... A depiction of an accelerometer designed at Sandia National Laboratories. ... A gyroscope For other uses, see Gyroscope (disambiguation). ...

Telecommunications system

The Telecom Subsystem on MRO is the best telecom system sent into deep space so far. It consists of a very large (3 meter) antenna, which is used to transmit data through the Deep Space Network via X-band frequencies at 8 GHz, and it demonstrates the use of the Ka-band at 32 GHz for higher data rates. Maximum transmission speed from Mars is projected to be as high as 6 Mbit/s, a rate ten times higher than previous Mars orbiters. The spacecraft carries two 100-watt X-band amplifiers (one of which is a backup), one 35-watt Ka-band amplifier, and two transponders.^[1] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1993x3000, 652 KB) Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Gain Antenna (HGA) installation (June 25, 2005) original description:In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASAâ€™s Kennedy Space Center, workers from Lockheed Martin help raise the high-gain antenna vertically for installation... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1993x3000, 652 KB) Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Gain Antenna (HGA) installation (June 25, 2005) original description:In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASAâ€™s Kennedy Space Center, workers from Lockheed Martin help raise the high-gain antenna vertically for installation... The High Gain Antenna (HGA) is an antenna with a focused, narrow radiowave beam width. ... Deep Space Network (DSN) is an international network of radio antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions, and radio and radar astronomy observations for the exploration of the solar system and the universe. ... The X band, ranging from 8. ... A gigahertz is a billion hertz or a thousand megahertz, a measure of frequency. ... The Ka band (kurz-above band) is a portion of the K band of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. ... Generally, an amplifier is any device that uses a small amount of energy to control a larger amount of energy. ... An Ontario Highway 407 toll transponder In telecommunication, the term transponder (short-for Transmitter-responder and sometimes abbreviated to XPDR, XPNDR or TPDR) has the following meanings: An automatic device that receives, amplifies, and retransmits a signal on a different frequency (see also broadcast translator). ...

Two smaller low-gain antennas are also present for lower-rate communication during emergencies and special events, such as launch and Mars Orbit Insertion. These antennas do not have focusing dishes and can transmit and receive from any direction. They are an important backup system to ensure that MRO can always be reached, even if its main antenna is pointed away from the Earth.^[1]

The Ka-band subsystem is used for demonstration purposes. Due to lack of spectrum at 8.41 GHz X-band, future high-rate deep space missions will use 32 GHz Ka-band. NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) has implemented Ka-band receiving capabilities at all three of its complexes (Goldstone, Canberra and Madrid) over its 34-m beam-waveguide (BWG) antenna subnet. MRO Ka-band demonstration will demonstrate viability of Ka-band for deep space operations. During the cruise phase, spacecraft Ka-band telemetry was tracked 36 times by these antennas proving DSN Ka-band reception functionality at all the antennas. During the primary science phase, Ka-band demonstration is assigned two passes a week for Ka-band demonstration purposes. The success of Ka-band during cruise also makes it a viable backup for the X-band subsystem on MRO.

Propulsion and attitude control

The spacecraft uses a 1175 L (310 US gal) fuel tank filled with 1187 kg (2617 lb) of hydrazine monopropellant. Fuel pressure is regulated by adding pressurized helium gas from an external tank. Seventy percent of the fuel was used for orbital insertion.^[43] Download high resolution version (1024x620, 382 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1024x620, 382 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The liter (spelled liter in American English and litre in Commonwealth English) is a unit of volume. ... The gallon (abbreviation: gal) is a unit of volume. ... Hydrazine is the chemical compound with formula N2H4. ... A (usually liquid) rocket propellant that can be used by itself, without the need for a second component. ...

MRO has twenty rocket engine thrusters on board. Six large thrusters each produce 170 N (38 lbf) of thrust for a total of 1,020 N (230 lbf) meant mainly for orbital insertion. These thrusters were originally designed for the Mars Surveyor 2001 Lander. Six medium thrusters each produce 22 N (5 lbf) of thrust for trajectory correction maneuvers and attitude control during orbit insertion. Finally, eight small thrusters each produce 0.9 N (0.2 lbf) of thrust for attitude control during normal operations.^[43] The newton (symbol: N) is the SI unit of force. ... The pound-force is a non-SI unit of force or weight (properly abbreviated lbf or lbf). The pound-force is equal to a mass of one pound multiplied by the standard acceleration due to gravity on Earth (which is defined as exactly 9. ... Conceptual drawing Mars Surveyor 2001 Lander was a planned NASA Mars probe which was cancelled in May 2000 in the wake of the failures of the Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander missions in late 1999. ... // In the context of spacecraft, attitude control is control of the angular position and rotation of the spacecraft, either relative to the object that it is orbiting, or relative to the celestial sphere. ...

Four reaction wheels are also used for precise attitude control during activities requiring a highly stable platform, such as high-resolution imaging, in which even small motions can cause blurring of the image. Each wheel is used for one axis of motion. The fourth (skewed) wheel is a backup in case one of the other three wheels fails. Each wheel weighs 10 kg (22 lb) and can be spun as fast as 100 Hz or 6,000 rpm.^[43] A momentum wheel is a type of flywheel used primarily by spacecraft to change their angular momentum without using fuel for rockets or other reaction devices. ... Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, r/min, or min-1) is a unit of frequency, commonly used to measure rotational speed, in particular in the case of rotation around a fixed axis. ...

Contents

Prior to launch

Mission objectives

Launch and orbital insertion

Events and discoveries

Instruments

HiRISE

CTX

MARCI

CRISM

MCS

SHARAD

Engineering instruments

Engineering data

Structure

Power systems

Electronic systems

Attitude determination

Telecommunications system

Propulsion and attitude control

See also

Footnotes

Further reading

External links

Contents

Prior to launch GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Mission objectives

Launch and orbital insertion

Events and discoveries

Instruments

HiRISE

CTX

MARCI

CRISM

MCS

SHARAD

Engineering instruments

Engineering data

Structure

Power systems

Electronic systems

Attitude determination

Telecommunications system

Propulsion and attitude control

See also

Footnotes

Further reading

External links

Prior to launch