The Mars orbit insertion and aerobraking configuration looked very much like the cruise configuration, except that the high-gain antenna was moved to a position that balanced the solar arrays as the spacecraft flew through the upper atmosphere of Mars. The heaviest part of the spacecraft (the propellant tank) also made the spacecraft very stable -- just like a badminton birdie. Mars Orbit Insertion and Aerobraking
For more information on what happened during these phases of the mission, see the Mars Orbit Insertion and aerobraking sections in the mission timeline.