NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has successfully performed a new maneuver to explore deeper underground on the Red Planet. The spacecraft, which has been in operation for nearly 20 years, is now able to roll over 120 degrees to gaze into regions previously out of reach.
The innovation allows MRO’s Shallow Radar (SHARAD) instrument to peer up to 2 kilometers below the surface, providing crucial insights into Mars’ geology and potential for life. The radar helps scientists distinguish between materials like rock, sand, and ice, essential for understanding the planet’s climate and habitability.
The new capability was made possible by teaching MRO to roll nearly upside down, which also enables it to look deeper underground as it searches for liquid and frozen water. Engineers have refined the process over three “very large rolls” performed between 2023 and 2024.
By streamlining the planning process, engineers can now use this capability more frequently, although they limit it to one or two very large rolls per year due to power concerns. The innovation has strengthened SHARAD’s radar signal by up to 10 times, offering a clearer picture of Mars’ underground structure.
MRO’s Mars Climate Sounder instrument is also benefiting from the new maneuver, providing more detailed data on Mars’ atmosphere and its inner workings. The team working with this instrument has incorporated MRO’s standard roll capability into their routine planning, unlocking new scientific opportunities.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California manages MRO for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate, while the Italian Space Agency provided the SHARAD instrument. The Planetary Science Institute and Lockheed Martin Space are involved in the mission’s operations and data analysis.
Source: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-mars-orbiter-learns-new-moves-after-nearly-20-years-in-space