After a seven-month cruise to Mars and six months of aerobraking to reach its science orbit, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter began seeking out the history of water on Mars with its science instruments. The instruments zoom in for extreme close-up photography of the martian surface, analyze minerals, look for subsurface water, trace how much dust and water are distributed in the atmosphere, and monitor daily global weather. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission met all its science goals in a two-year primary science phase. Two extensions, the latest beginning in 2010, have added to the bounty of science returns.

Author/Origin/License: Brian Kumanchik, NASA/JPL-Caltech, Public Domain

Notes:

1. See [assembly.jpg] file to see how model parts are assembled.

2. Model is designed to fit together without the need for glue, but a small drop at connection point will help to strengthen it.