10 Surprising Facts About SpaceX
Discover lesser-known aspects of SpaceX's history, achievements, and innovations that have shaped the commercial space industry over the past two decades.
MRO (28788)
COSPAR: 2005-029A | Alt Name: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 12, 2005
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC41
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 401
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
28788
International Designator
2005-029A
Decay Date
Unknown
Basic Satellite Info
Name
MRO
Alternative Name
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
JPL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), also known as 2005-029A and NORAD CAT ID 28788, is a US satellite managed by JPL. Launched on August 12, 2005, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's SLC41 pad using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, MRO has dimensions of 6.5 meters in length, 4 meters in diameter, and a span of 13.6 meters. It weighs 984 kg when dry and had a launch mass of 2180 kg. Equipped with various instruments including HiRISE, CTX, MARCI, CRISM, MCS, SHARAD, and Electra, MRO orbits Mars to gather detailed images and data about the planet's surface and atmosphere. Its power comes from two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite has an RCS of 15.8489 and a shape described as Box + 2 Pan + Dish.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6.5
Diameter
4
Span
13.6
Dry Mass
984
Launch Mass
2180
Shape
Box + 2 Pan + Dish
Radar Cross Section
15.8489
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
MRO
Purpose
Mars orbiter
Mission
Mars orbiter
Manufacturer
LMSSD
Life Expectancy
2 years (planned)
Bus
MRO
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
MRO AOCS
Equipment
HiRISE, CTX, MARCI, CRISM, MCS, SHARAD, Electra
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX Acquires xAI, Amazon Buys 10 More Falcon 9 Launches | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX officially acquires xAI for orbital data centers. Amazon buys 10 additional Falcon 9 launches for Project Kuiper. Starlink helps Iranian protesters bypass blackout.
Space Brief 13 May 2025
China expands its classified satellite series, Space Force advances cloud-based ground station marketplaces, and the Pentagon grows its satellite network partner list. Highlighting new roles for sensor technology in tracking space debris.
Falcon 9 Resumes Flights, Starbase Approved to Double in Size | KeepTrack X Report
Falcon 9 resumes flights with 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg. SpaceX test-fires rocket ahead of Crew-12 launch. Starbase approved to nearly double its launch site footprint.
X Report 20 Mar 2025
SpaceX successfully rotates Crew-9 and Crew-10 on the ISS and launches new Starlink satellites with direct-to-cell capability.
Space Brief 22 Feb 2025
Today's brief covers a reveal from the US Space Force of the X-37B space plane in orbit, a developing defense shakeup involving key military leaders, confirmation of advanced federated ICAM connections by the DoD, and SAAB's plan for a Euro defense coalition. Plus, we spotlight the BDSAT-2 CubeSat.
X Report 19 Feb 2025
SpaceX achieves a new milestone with a Falcon 9 landing near The Bahamas, closely following Rocket Lab's successful satellite launch.
Space Brief 15 Dec 2024
Anticipated NISAR launch now scheduled for March 2025; Rivada persists in broadband constellation quest despite setbacks; SpaceX scrubbed RRT-1 launch holds mystery.