Jet Propulsion Laboratory JPL Earth JPL Solar System JPL Stars and Galaxies JPL Science and Technology California Institute of Technology Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter NASA Home Page Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Follow this link to skip to the main content
NASA logo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology header separator
+ NASA Homepage
+ NASA en Español
+ Marte en Español
GO!
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Overview Science Technology The Mission People Features Events Multimedia
Mars for Kids
Mars for Students
Mars for Educators
Mars for Press
+ Mars Home
+ MRO Home
Multimedia
Summary
Images
bullet Press Release Images
bullet MOI
bullet Cruise
bullet Aerobraking
bullet Spacecraft
bullet Mars Artwork
bullet Dust Storms
bullet Launch
bullet Calibration
Videos
Mars Artwork
Return to Mars Artwork index
In this artist's concept image the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft is set against the black background of space, dotted with stars.  The spacecraft's radar, represented by a long, horizontal, silver-colored pole,
Full Res JPG (5.2 MB)

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter using the SHARAD radar (side view)

This artist's concept of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter highlights the spacecraft's radar capability. The SHARAD instrument is the long pole-like feature that extends horizontally from the spacecraft. The radar is pictured "beaming" down under the surface of Mars. The foreground of the image is a cross section of the planet, showing the crust, the layers below and, ultimately, reservoirs of ice or liquid water.

The SHARAD instrument will look into the first few hundreds of feet below the martian surface, up to 1 kilometer.

JPL Image Use Policy

Credits Feedback Related Links Sitemap
USA Gov
footer NASA logo