NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Innovates with Rolling Maneuvers

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), operational since 2006, has been reprogrammed to perform unprecedented maneuvers that enable the spacecraft to roll up to 120 degrees. This innovative technique aims to enhance its observational capabilities, particularly in searching for subsurface water and ice on the Martian surface. The new rolling strategy, developed by scientists at the Planetary Science Institute and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), allows the MRO to obtain clearer radar signals by providing a direct line of sight for its Shallow Radar (SHARAD) instrument.

The MRO has undergone extensive operations during its nearly two decades in orbit, originally designed to tilt only 30 degrees to target specific regions of Mars. Gareth Morgan, a researcher at the Planetary Science Institute, highlighted the significance of this advancement: “Not only can you teach an old spacecraft new tricks, you can open up entirely new regions of the subsurface to explore by doing so.” By executing these large rolls, the MRO achieves a tenfold increase in signal strength, crucial for identifying areas that may harbor water that future missions could utilize.

These maneuvers are not without challenges. Each large roll requires meticulous planning to ensure that the orbiter's solar panels and communication antennas remain operational. Reid Thomas, MRO’s project manager at JPL, explained that “the very large rolls require a special analysis to make sure we’ll have enough power in our batteries to safely do the roll.” Therefore, the team can only conduct one or two of these significant rolls each year.

The SHARAD instrument, designed to penetrate half a mile to 1.2 miles beneath the Martian surface, has seen a marked improvement in its performance due to the new rolling capacity. Morgan notes, “There is a lot to be gained by taking a closer look at those regions,” emphasizing the potential for discovering vital resources.

In addition to SHARAD, the Mars Climate Sounder, which monitors atmospheric conditions on Mars, has adapted to utilize the orbiter’s rolling capabilities after its gimbal system began to fail. Armin Kleinboehl, interim principal investigator at JPL, remarked, “Rolling used to restrict our science, but we’ve incorporated it into our routine planning, both for surface views and calibration.”

The MRO continues to be a pivotal asset in Martian exploration, showcasing that even after 18 years, it remains capable of making groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the Red Planet. This innovative approach to subsurface exploration could redefine future missions aimed at locating water and ice, which are essential for potential human colonization of Mars.

As the MRO forges ahead with its new operational capabilities, the implications for both scientific discovery and future exploration missions are significant. The potential to uncover subsurface water could pave the way for future astronauts, fundamentally altering humanity's approach to living and working on Mars.