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| Mission Timeline Summary |
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The phases of the mission include:
| Pre-launch Activities |
2002 - Aug, 2005 |
Preparation for the mission, including assembly and testing, and delivery to Cape Canaveral |
| Launch |
Aug, 2005 |
Lift-off from Earth |
| Cruise |
Aug, 2005 - Mar, 2006 |
Voyage through space to Mars |
| Approach |
Mar, 2006 |
Nearing the red planet |
| Mars Orbit Insertion |
Mar, 2006 |
Capturing the spacecraft into orbit around Mars |
| Aerobraking |
Mar, 2006 - Nov, 2006 |
Slowing down in the martian atmosphere and settling into a lower, circular orbit for science-data collecting |
| Science Operations |
Nov, 2006 - Nov, 2008 |
Gathering information about Mars through the day-to-day activities of the orbiter |
| Communications Relay |
Nov, 2008 - Dec, 2010 |
Using the orbiter to communicate with other landed missions |
Should NASA continue to need it, the orbiter will be able to continue providing relay services for as much as another 5 years beyond its planned end date.
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