NASA’s Aging Mars orbiter Learns Risky New Maneuver
At nearly two decades old, NASA’s Mars reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is proving that age is just a number when it comes to groundbreaking space exploration. Launched almost twenty years ago and orbiting the Red Planet for over nineteen, the veteran spacecraft continues to deliver vital data. Its mission team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) recently achieved a significant feat, teaching the durable orbiter a demanding new trick: performing extreme, 120-degree rolls in space. This innovative maneuver allows one of MRO’s key instruments to obtain unprecedented views beneath the Martian surface, primarily to locate crucial water ice resources.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has long surpassed its initial mission lifespan. Yet, engineers and scientists are constantly seeking ways to maximize its capabilities and extract even more valuable insights from Mars. This push for “bonus science” is a testament to the mission’s success and the team’s ingenuity. Similar efforts have seen other aging spacecraft adapted; for instance, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express repurposed its Visual Monitoring Camera, originally meant for the Beagle 2 lander, to capture new images of the planet years later.
Why the Orbiter Needs to ‘Roll Over’
The target of these new maneuvers is the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) instrument. SHARAD is specifically designed to probe beneath the Martian crust, capable of peering more than a half-mile (roughly 800 meters) deep. By analyzing the reflected radar signals, scientists can distinguish between different subsurface materials. Identifying layers of rock, sand, and particularly ice is critical for understanding Mars’ geological history and potential habitability. The presence of subsurface ice is especially important, as it represents a potential resource that future human missions could use for water or fuel production, a concept known as in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).
However, SHARAD faces a technical challenge due to its placement on the spacecraft. Its antenna segments are located on what is considered the “back” of the MRO. Other essential instruments, like the powerful High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera, occupy prime positions on the “front.” When the orbiter is in its standard orientation for observations, parts of the spacecraft can partially obstruct the radio signals SHARAD sends and receives. This interference results in radar data that is less clear than scientists desire.
Executing the ‘Very Large Rolls’
To overcome this obstruction and give SHARAD a clearer line of sight, the mission team devised the “very large rolls.” These maneuvers involve tilting the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter by a full 120 degrees. This is a dramatic increase from the orbiter’s original design specification, which limited rolls to just 30 degrees in any direction. The results of these deep tilts are impressive: the maneuver can strengthen the returned radar signal by ten times or more, providing a significantly clearer picture of what lies hidden beneath the Martian surface. This enhanced view helps map subsurface structures with greater precision and confidence.
Performing such a drastic rotation in space presents unique technical challenges and risks for an aging spacecraft. During a 120-degree roll, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is no longer oriented with its main communications antenna pointed towards Earth. Furthermore, its large solar arrays cannot track the sun effectively to generate power. This means the spacecraft must rely solely on its internal batteries to complete the maneuver and gather data.
Balancing Science and Safety
The reliance on battery power and the departure from optimal orientation necessitate careful planning. Reid Thomas, MRO’s project manager at JPL, emphasized the precision required. “The very large rolls require a special analysis to make sure we’ll have enough power in our batteries to safely do the roll,” Thomas stated. This meticulous analysis ensures that the maneuver does not drain the batteries beyond safe operating levels, which could jeopardize the mission.
Due to the technical complexities and the energy demands, these very large rolls are not performed frequently. Currently, the team permits only one or two such high-angle maneuvers per year. This limited frequency highlights the careful balance between pushing the boundaries of the spacecraft’s capabilities for enhanced science and maintaining the long-term health and safety of the valuable Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
MRO’s Enduring Scientific Legacy
Beyond the groundbreaking SHARAD maneuvers, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter contributes to planetary science in numerous ways. Its suite of instruments provides diverse data, from detailed surface imaging with HiRISE to atmospheric studies. For example, MRO’s HiRISE camera has even been used to observe inactive spacecraft on the surface, such as the retired InSight lander. By monitoring dust accumulation around InSight, scientists gain critical insights into Martian wind patterns and dust dynamics, which are vital for planning future missions.
The subsurface data collected by SHARAD is also crucial for understanding Mars’ geological evolution. The search for subsurface ice connects directly to questions about Mars’ past habitability and the history of water on the planet. Recent research, combining data from multiple missions including MRO, suggests that Mars’ distinctive red color might originate from ferrihydrite, a hydrated iron oxide that forms quickly in the presence of liquid water, implying a much wetter early history than previously thought. SHARAD’s ability to map subsurface layers and identify ice helps piece together this complex history, revealing more about where and when water existed.
Future Exploration and MRO’s Continued Value
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s continued success and ability to adapt underscore the immense value of long-duration planetary missions. These veteran orbiters provide consistent monitoring and unique opportunities for scientific innovation. While MRO remains a workhorse, other valuable NASA Mars orbiters, such as MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) and Mars Odyssey, currently face potential risks to their funding under proposed budget plans. MRO’s ability to keep providing novel and high-quality data, even after nineteen years, highlights the importance of sustaining these long-term assets.
The quest to understand Mars’ subsurface structure, locate resources, and piece together its history continues. Data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, enhanced by these new, daring maneuvers, will play a vital role in planning future robotic and potentially crewed missions to the Red Planet. By pushing the limits of an aging yet capable spacecraft, NASA is unlocking new secrets beneath the Martian surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter doing differently now?
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), nearly 19 years old, is performing new, challenging maneuvers called “very large rolls.” These involve tilting the spacecraft 120 degrees, far beyond its original 30-degree design limit. This dramatic rotation is done to provide a clearer view for its SHARAD radar instrument to study the Martian subsurface.
Why is identifying subsurface ice on Mars important?
Locating subsurface water ice on Mars is crucial for two main reasons. Scientifically, it helps researchers understand the planet’s climate history and where water existed in the past. Practically, ice represents a potential source of water and oxygen for future human missions, which could be processed on Mars (in-situ resource utilization), reducing the need to transport everything from Earth.
How does MRO’s SHARAD instrument study the Martian subsurface?
The SHARAD instrument uses radar signals that penetrate the Martian surface. These signals bounce off different layers and materials beneath the surface. By analyzing how the signals return, scientists can map subsurface structures and identify materials like rock, sand, and ice. The new 120-degree rolls significantly improve SHARAD’s data quality by removing spacecraft obstructions, increasing signal strength tenfold or more for clearer views.
Conclusion
NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, a testament to engineering longevity, continues to push the boundaries of its capabilities. By implementing risky but scientifically rewarding 120-degree rolls, the mission team is enabling the SHARAD radar to achieve unprecedented clarity in mapping the Martian subsurface. This innovative approach not only extends the scientific return from a veteran spacecraft but also directly supports future exploration efforts by pinpointing vital resources like water ice. MRO’s story is a powerful reminder of the value of perseverance and ingenuity in humanity’s ongoing quest to understand the Red Planet.
References
- <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/27/marsreconnaissanceorbiternewtrick/”>www.theregister.com
- <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2024/12/17/silentnasalandergivesscientists/”>www.theregister.com
- <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/25/marsredferrihydrate/”>www.theregister.com
- <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2015/10/03/plutocharonmoonsplitopen/”>www.theregister.com
- <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2019/03/07/raspberrypi3modelasupporttoarriveinlinux51/”>www.theregister.com
