spacetoday.net: MRO enters science orbit

MRO enters science orbit

Posted: Wed, Sep 13, 2006, 8:37 PM ET (0037 GMT)
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter illustration (NASA/JPL)

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft has completed the aerobraking phase of its mission and is now in its final orbit from which it will start scientific observations, project officials announced this week. MRO arrived at Mars on March 10, entering an elliptical orbit around the planet; from early April through the end of August the spacecraft modified its orbit through aerobraking, passing through the upper fringes of the Martian atmosphere to lower its orbital apogee. On Monday MRO fired its thrusters for its final orbital maneuver, entering its final near-circular polar orbit. MRO will begin scientific observations in November, after deploying its antenna and calibrating its instruments.