NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) just hit a big milestone. Its HiRISE camera has taken 100,000 pictures of the Martian surface. This event was announced on December 16, and the landmark photo was snapped on October 7.
The image features mesas and sand dunes in Syrtis Major, close to where NASA’s Perseverance rover is exploring the Jezero Crater. Scientists are currently analyzing this photo to learn more about how wind carries sand in that area, ultimately creating fascinating geological formations.
MRO has been orbiting Mars since March 2006. Its main job is to look for signs of liquid water from the past and conduct other important research. HiRISE is crucial for this mission, capturing details as small as a coffee table on Mars. These high-resolution images help scientists study everything from impact craters to potential landing spots for future missions.
Interestingly, MRO isn’t the longest-running NASA orbiter around Mars—Mars Odyssey has been operational since October 2001. Together with MRO, there are eight other spacecraft currently studying the planet. This includes NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, and various orbiters from Europe and China, like MAVEN, Mars Express, and Tianwen 1.
It’s worth noting that the MAVEN orbiter is facing some challenges. It has been silent since December 4 and seems to have started spinning in an unusual manner.
The continuous exploration of Mars is significant. A recent survey showed that 70% of Americans support further investment in Mars exploration. This reflects a growing interest in understanding our neighboring planet, driven by the potential for discovering Ancient life and preparing for future human missions. With tools like HiRISE, NASA is making strides to unveil Mars’s mysteries.
