NASA’s Oldest Martian Spacecraft Have Been Running for Decades. Here’s How
Two orbiters have long outlasted their expected lifespans and completely reshaped our understanding of the Red Planet, all while operating 140 million miles from Earth.
NASA's oldest Martian spacecraft, Odyssey and MRO, have been operating for decades, rewriting the story of water on the planet. These orbiters, more productive than any others, have provided critical insights into Mars, connecting humans to every NASA rover. Despite being designed for short missions, their longevity has been possible through great engineering, problem-solving, and a bit of luck.
However, scientists wonder if Odyssey and MRO may be the last of their kind, given the harsh environment and limited bandwidth for Mars communication. One challenge has been the aging of MRO, which has slightly moved stars in its onboard stellar atlas, confusing the spacecraft. Engineers had to send an updated map to correct this issue.
Another risk for Odyssey is running out of propellant needed for adjustments in space. Both spacecraft were influenced by NASA's "faster, better, cheaper" era, where failures during the Mars missions of 1999 led to increased investment in resilience and testing before launch. The spacecraft have a margin, similar to carrying a snack, to handle unexpected situations.
However, questions remain about future Mars orbiters, with NASA considering communication satellites and small helicopters, which may not fully build on the legacy of Odyssey and MRO.
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