Space Science and Technology (Part-II)- Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)

Image for representative purpose only.

Know Everything About the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)

Now we continue with the second part of our blog on space science and technology. Those who have missed our first blog can read it from Here. It will help to connect with this second part of the blog discussing about the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Let us explore the blog to find out in more details. In words of Denis Waitley:

"The winners in life treat their body as if it were a magnificent spacecraft that gives them the finest transportation and endurance for their lives".

With the evolution of human civilization, various thing changed in human lifestyle due to the development and enhancement of modern technologies. Now the technologies are used even in space outside earth and also moved to neighboring planets, to capture various celestial information. We can take an example of such a spacecraft known as Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). 

Introduction to Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) 

Mars  Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is a multipurpose spacecraft designed to conduct reconnaissance and exploration of Mars from orbit. The US$720 million spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin under the supervision of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory(JPL). The mission is managed by the California Institute of Technology, at the JPL, in Pasadena, California, for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Washington, D.C. It was launched August 12, 2005, and attained Martian orbit on March 10, 2006. In November 2006, after five months of aero-braking, it entered its final science orbit and began its primary science phase. As MRO entered orbit, it joined five other active spacecraft that were either in orbit or on the planet's surface: Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Express, 2001 Mars Odyssey, and the two Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity); at the time, this set a record for the most operational spacecraft in the immediate vicinity of Mars. Mars Global Surveyor and the Spirit rover have since ceased to function; the remainder remain operational as of April 2018. MRO contains a host of scientific instruments such as cameras, spectrometers, and radar, which are used to analyse the landforms, stratigraphy, minerals, and ice of Mars. It paves the way for future spacecraft by monitoring Mars' daily weather and surface conditions, studying potential landing sites, and hosting a new telecommunications system.

Objectives of the Mission

MRO science operations were initially scheduled to last two Earth years, from November 2006 to November 2008. One of the mission's main goals is to map the Martian landscape with its high-resolution cameras in order to choose landing sites for future surface missions. The MRO played an important role in choosing the landing site of the Phoenix Lander, which explored the Martian Arctic in Green Valley. The initial site chosen by scientists was imaged with the HiRISE camera and found to be littered with boulders. After analysis with HiRISE and the Mars Odyssey's THEMIS instrument a new site was chosen. Mars Science Laboratory, a highly maneuverable rover, also had its landing site inspected. The MRO provided critical navigation data during their landings and acts as a telecommunications relay.

Launching the Spacecraft

MRO is using its on-board scientific equipment to study the Martian climate, weather, atmosphere, and geology, and to search for signs of liquid water in the polar caps and underground. In addition, MRO was tasked with looking for the remains of the previously lost Mars Polar Lander and Beagle 2 spacecraft. Beagle 2 was found by the orbiter at the beginning of 2015. After its main science operations are completed, the probe's extended mission is to be the communication and navigation system for landers and rover probes. On August 12, 2005, MRO was launched aboard an Atlas V-401 rocket 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 into an interplanetary transfer orbit towards Mars. MRO cruised through interplanetary space for seven and a half months before reaching Mars. While in route most of the scientific instruments and experiments were tested and calibrated. To ensure proper orbital insertion upon reaching Mars, four trajectory correction manoeuvres were planned and a fifth emergency manoeuvre was discussed. However, only three trajectory correction manoeuvres were necessary, which saved 60 pounds (27 kg) fuel that would be usable during MRO's extended mission.

Continued in the next blog...