Science Objectives

To contribute to the four science goals, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has the following science objectives:

1. Characterize the present climate of Mars and its physical mechanisms of seasonal and interannual climate change
   
   
2. Determine the nature of complex layered terrain on Mars and identify water-related landforms
   
   
3. Search for sites showing evidence of aqueous and/or hydrothermal activity
   
   
4. Identify and characterize sites with the highest potential for landed science and sample return by future Mars missions
   
   
5. Return scientific data from Mars landed craft during a relay phase

Science Instruments that are helping meet these objectives

Six instruments on board the 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter are helping to achieve these objectives:

HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment)
	This visible camera reveals small-scale objects in the debris blankets of mysterious gullies and details of the geologic structure of canyons, craters, and layered deposits. [More]
CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometers for Mars)
	This instrument splits visible and near-infrared light in its images into hundreds of "colors" that identify minerals, especially those likely formed in the presence of water, in surface areas not much bigger than a football field. [More]
CTX (Context Imager)
	This camera provides wide-area views to help provide a context for high-resolution analysis of key spots on Mars provided by HiRISE and CRISM. [More]
SHARAD (Shallow Subsurface Radar)
	This sounding radar probes beneath the Martian surface to see if water ice is present at depths greater than one meter (about 3 feet). [More]
MCS (Mars Climate Sounder)
	This atmospheric profiler detects vertical variations in temperature, dust, and water vapor concentrations in the Martian atmosphere. [More]
MARCI (Mars Color Imager)
	This weather camera monitors clouds and dust storms. [More]