YFARMX SPACE
extended mission

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

NASA · Mars (orbit)

Twenty years at Mars and still working: the orbiter passed 100,000 HiRISE images in December 2025 and relays for both active rovers.

Artist's concept of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter above Mars, restyled onto a dark starfield.
Image: NASA/JPL, restyled

At a glance

Phase
extended mission
Operator
NASA
Destination
Mars (orbit)
Last verified
2026-08-08

Where it stands

Active in extended mission; primary Mars relay.

The mission

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has operated continuously since March 2006, and NASA marked its twentieth anniversary at Mars on 23 June 2026 with the orbiter still listed as an active mission. Its HiRISE camera passed its 100,000th image in December 2025, and the spacecraft continues studying the atmosphere and surface while relaying data for Perseverance and Curiosity. It is now the senior spacecraft of a thinner fleet: NASA declared MAVEN ended on 3 June 2026 after contact was lost the previous December.

Related

Missions deskMars deskThe launch deskSpace data

Sources

  • NASA on MRO at 20 · https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter/
  • JPL mission page · https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter-mro/