Engineering Experiments
NSSDCA ID: 2005-029A-09
Mission Name: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Description
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will carry three instruments designated as engineering experiments. These instruments, designed to assist in spacecraft navigation and communications, will be operated and assessed for use on future missions.
Electra UHF Communications and Navigation Package
Electra allows the spacecraft to act as a communications relay between the Earth and landed crafts on Mars that may not have sufficient radio power to communicate directly with Earth by themselves.
Optical Navigation Camera
This camera is being tested for improved navigation capability for future missions. If it performs well, similar cameras placed on orbiters of the future would be able to serve as high-precision interplanetary "eyes" to guide incoming spacecraft as they near Mars.
Ka-band Telecommunications Experiment Package
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will test the use of a radio frequency called Ka-band to demonstrate the potential for greater performance in communications using significantly less power.
Alternate Names
- MarsReconnaissanceOrbiter/EngineeringExperiments
Funding Agency
- NASA-Office of Space Science Applications (United States)
Discipline
- Engineering: None assigned
Additional Information
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to:
Dr. David R. Williams
Personnel
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | E-mail |
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Selected References
- Shambayati, S., et al., Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Ka-Band (32 GHz) Demonstration: Cruise Phase Operations,
No. 5786, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautic SpaceOps 2006 Conference, Rome, Italy, doi:10.2514/6.2006-5786, Jun. 2006.
- Shambayati, S., et al., Link Design and Planning for Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Ka-band (32 GHz) Telecom Demonstration,
IEEE Aerospace Conference, pp. 1559-1569, Big Sky, MT, doi:10.1109/AERO.2005.1559447, Mar. 2005.
- Taylor, J., et al., Chapter 6: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter,
in Deep Space Communications, J. Taylor Ed., Vol. 13, pp. 201-262, Deep Space Communications and Navigation Series, JPL, Calif. Inst. Technol., Deep Sp. Comm. and Nav. Sys. (DESCANSO), Pasadena, CA, Oct. 2014.