Media Telecon - Jan. 7, 2005

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission Status - Press release

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) - artist's concept

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Timeline

Data return comparison

Mars spacecraft comparison

Orbiter's Skeleton

The structure of NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft is constructed from composite panels of carbon layers over aluminum honeycomb, lightweight yet strong. This forms a basic structure or skeleton on which the instruments, electronics, propulsion and power systems can be mounted. The propellant tank is contained in the center of the orbiter's structure.  This photo was taken at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, during construction of the spacecraft.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Lockheed Martin
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Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in High Bay

Engineers and technicians at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, are building the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter for NASA. Assembly and testing of the spacecraft are underway in preparation for launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., in August 2005 aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle. In late October 2004, the spacecraft was moved from the High Bay clean room (shown here) into the Reverberant Acoustic Lab, where system environmental testing will continue through March 2005. The testing includes modal survey (which involves measuring spacecraft modes and frequencies), electronic compatibility testing, acoustic testing (which simulates sound vibrations that the spacecraft will experience during launch), shock and deployment tests, and thermal vacuum testing.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Lockheed Martin
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Moving the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

In late October 2004, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was moved from the High Bay 100,000-class clean room at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, to the facility's Reverberant Acoutic Lab, where system environmental testing will continue through March 2005.  Shown here are technicians guiding the spacecraft as it is lowered onto its transporter interface ring prior to installation of the shipping-container lid.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Lockheed Martin
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Orbiter Near Final Configuration

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will be the largest spacecraft to orbit Mars, weighing 2,180 kilograms (4,796 pounds) at liftoff. This image from early January 2005 shows the spacecraft fitted with five of its six primary science instruments, both solar arrays and its high-gain antenna. The orbiter is undergoing environmental testing at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, to ensure its performance in simulated launch and space conditions. Technicians in the picture are installing test instrumentation for measuring vibration and acceleration levels during acoustic testing of the spacecraft.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Lockheed Martin
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