NASA MRO—Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
NASA MRO—Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
The NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is a robotic spacecraft that has been orbiting Mars since 2006. Its primary mission is to study the Martian atmosphere, surface, and subsurface in unprecedented detail.
The MRO is equipped with a suite of advanced scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and radar, which allow it to capture high-resolution images of the Martian surface, analyze mineral compositions, and even penetrate beneath the surface to search for water ice and minerals. It also carries the powerful HiRISE camera, capable of capturing detailed images of the Martian landscape.
One of the MRO's key contributions has been its support for other Mars missions, acting as a relay station to transmit data from surface rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance back to Earth. It also helps identify potential landing sites for future missions and studies the planet's changing climate and seasonal processes.