Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: extended dual-purpose mission

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, aboard an Atlas V-401 launch vehicle on August 12, 2005 and entered Mars orbit on March 10, 2006. After five months of aerobraking, a series of propulsive maneuvers were used to establish the desired low-altitude science orbit. The spacecraft has been on station in its 255 × 320 km, 3 p.m., primary science orbit since September 2006 performing its scientific and UHF-relay functions. This paper provides a brief status of the prime mission and describes the plans and preparations in work for its recently approved two-year mission extension.