NASA has made a significant breakthrough in its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) mission by orienting one of its scientific instruments, the Shallow Radar (SHARAD), to improve signal strength. The move allowed SHARAD to collect more accurate data about the Martian subsurface, shedding new light on the planet’s composition.
The MRO spacecraft has five science instruments, each with unique requirements for orientation and signal strength. One of these instruments, SHARAD, was initially positioned on the far side of the craft, facing away from Mars. This limited its ability to collect data due to noise and interference from within the spacecraft.
To overcome this challenge, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory team orchestrated a 120-degree roll of the MRO spacecraft, aligning SHARAD directly with the Martian surface. The results were impressive, with signal strength increasing by an average of tenfold over three Very Large Rolls (VLRs) conducted between 2023 and 2024.
These newfound capabilities allowed SHARAD to map basalt layers underground and measure ice depths at various locations on Mars. Notably, the instrument’s improved signal strength may have confirmed earlier findings of liquid water beneath Martian glaciers at the South Pole, which could significantly impact future scientific research on the Red Planet. However, careful planning is necessary to avoid destabilizing the spacecraft, as the solar panels and high-gain communications antenna are now in suboptimal positions.
Source: https://www.universetoday.com/articles/reorienting-mro-massively-increases-its-subsurface-scanning-power