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In this image, a vibrantly blue sky serves as the backdrop for a tiny dot of fire with a trail of smoke behind it. The tiny dot is the Atlas V rocket that launched the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the smoke is the rocket's contrail.
Full Res JPG (2.9 MB)

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Takes to the Skies

Just seconds after launch, the Atlas V rocket carrying the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter already appears tiny. It races through the sky toward its ultimate destination, Mars, leaving a white contrail behind it.

Credit: NASA/JPL

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