Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter


Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

A NASA Mars orbiter, part of the agency's Mars Exploration Program of crewless investigative probes, which was due for launch in August 2005. It is set to provide the most thorough examination of Mars so far. Fitted with a high-resolution camera, it aims to send back close-up images of the Martian surface with unprecedented clarity. Chief among its tasks is the search for landing-sites close to sustainable sources of water, where future human missions will be able to establish themselves.