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Mars Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was launched on August 12, 2005

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) launch
August 12, 2005: The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), launched from Cape Canaveral on top of an Atlas V launch vehicle. The mission embarked on an ambitious quest to scrutinize the Martian environment from its orbit. Tasked with observing Mars' climate, studying its geological activities, scouting future landing zones, and serving as a data relay from Martian missions to Earth, the MRO is equipped with an array of advanced instruments, including three cameras, two spectrometers, and a radar. As of July 29, 2023, it has transmitted over 450 terabits of invaluable data. Notably, the MRO has identified safe landing spots for other NASA missions, detected pure water ice in fresh craters, and unearthed further signs of past liquid water flow on Mars' surface. Image: NASA

On August 12, 2005, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was launched from Cape Canaveral, as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. MRO is a multipurpose spacecraft designed to conduct reconnaissance and exploration of Mars from orbit. The orbiter played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the Red Planet, both in terms of current conditions and its history.

August 12 story of what happened this day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration history.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on top of an Atlas V launch vehicle on August 12, 2005, at 11:43 UTC. The spacecraft reached Mars and entered orbit on March 10, 2006, at 21:24 UTC. In September 2006, after six months of aerobraking, it entered its final science orbit and began its primary science phase.

On September 29, 2006, the orbiter 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.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) launch
August 12, 2005: The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), launched from Cape Canaveral on top of an Atlas V launch vehicle. The mission embarked on an ambitious quest to scrutinize the Martian environment from its orbit. Tasked with observing Mars’ climate, studying its geological activities, scouting future landing zones, and serving as a data relay from Martian missions to Earth, the MRO is equipped with an array of advanced instruments, including three cameras, two spectrometers, and a radar. As of July 29, 2023, it has transmitted over 450 terabits of invaluable data. Notably, the MRO has identified safe landing spots for other NASA missions, detected pure water ice in fresh craters, and unearthed further signs of past liquid water flow on Mars’ surface. Image: NASA

What Occurred During Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Launch – Launch steps

Many people think of lift-off as the launch, but there were actually several steps during the launch phase.

  1. Countdown and systems checks
  2. 0:00: Lift Off through Atlas Stage 1 Booster, which accelerated the spacecraft to supersonic speeds of about 4,500 meters per second (10,000 miles per hour or around 16,000 km/h)
  3. 4:03: Booster Engine Cut-Off for the Atlas Stage I Booster
  4. Atlas Stage I Separation from the Centaur Stage II; Atlas fell back to Earth into the Atlantic Ocean
  5. 4:19: Main Engine Start of the Centaur Stage II
  6. Centaur First Burn Phase, which lasted nine-and-a-half minutes, boosted the spacecraft into a “parking orbit” in which the spacecraft and Centaur coasted for about 33 minutes between the first and second Centaur burns
  7. 4:27: Jettison of the Payload Fairing, which fell back to Earth into the Atlantic Ocean
  8. 13:52: The main engine Cut Off for the Centaur First Burn
  9. 49:51: Centaur Second Burn Phase, which lasted about 10 minutes, accelerated the spacecraft out of Earth orbit and set it on its way to Mars
  10. 55:21: Main Engine Separation of the Centaur Stage II
  11. 58:10: Centaur collision avoidance maneuver, which ensured that the Centaur did not get in the way of the spacecraft or assume a flight path that would cause it to eventually impact Mars
  12. At this point, the launch phase ended, and the spacecraft continued in its cruise phase.

Video: The launch of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)

August 12, 2005: Atlas V Launches Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission objectives

The formal science objectives of MRO are:

  • Observing the present climate, particularly its atmospheric circulation and seasonal variations of Mars.
  • Searching for signs of water, both past and present, and understanding how it altered the planet’s surface.
  • Mapping and characterizing the geological forces that shaped the surface.

The two mission support objectives are:

  • Providing data relay services from ground missions back to Earth.
  • Characterizing the safety and feasibility of potential future landing sites and Mars rover traverses.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) played a key role in choosing safe landing sites for the Phoenix lander (2008), Mars Science Laboratory / Curiosity rover (2012), InSight lander (2018), and the Mars 2020 / Perseverance rover (2021).

Instruments Onboard:

  • HiRISE (High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment): This powerful camera can capture detailed images of the Martian surface, allowing scientists to view features as small as a coffee table.
  • CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars): This instrument studies minerals on Mars’ surface and has been key in identifying past water-related activity.
  • MCS (Mars Climate Sounder): This probes the atmosphere to study the climate and weather.
  • MARCI (Mars Color Imager): A weather camera that provides global daily weather updates.
  • SHARAD (Shallow Subsurface Radar): This radar probes beneath the surface, seeking out layers of ice, water, and rock.
  • CTX (Context Camera): Works alongside HiRISE, capturing wider, less detailed images to provide context for the high-resolution ones.

As of August 2023, MRO remains operational and continues to send valuable data back to Earth, playing a pivotal role in our ongoing exploration and understanding of Mars.

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres
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Özgür Nevres

By M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer and a science enthusiast. I was graduated from the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Computer Engineering. In the past, I worked at the Istanbul Technical University Science Center as a science instructor. I write about the planet Earth and science on this website, ourplnt.com. I am also an animal lover! I take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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