The development of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was aimed at mapping the Martian landscape with its high-resolution cameras; a move towards identifying the most preferable landing sites for future explorations. Its initial schedule of service was projected to last from November 2006 to November 2008 and more so, equipped with inbuilt meteorological appliances MRO can give a detailed study of the Martian climate, weather, geology, atmospheric constituents, and it serves the invaluable purpose of unearthing any significant signs of liquid water (Stathopoulos 1).
For instance, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter served a very crucial purpose in determining the landing site of the Phoenix Lander, whose area of interest/study was the Martian Arctic in Green Valley. Covered with boulders, the original site selected by scientists as photographed by the HiRISE camera, was abandoned for the more preferable THEMIS. Yet still, it is projected that the landing site for Mars Science Laboratory which is a rover of great dynamic potential, would be established in the near future via the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (ScienceDaily 1). In addition to this, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter does not only serve the useful purpose of showing critical navigation data during the landing of satellites but also aids in acting as a telecommunication relay for interplanetary links.
Currently, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is searching for the remains of past Mars Polar Lander and Beagle 2 satellite, which marks the initial step towards the achievement of an Internet protocol link connecting the solar system. Upon the completion of its core scientific dynamics, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s inquiry would be extended to encompass the communication and navigation domains that are useful for Lander and rover studies.
