Mars Orbiter Resumes Science Observations

MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91109. TELEPHONE 818-354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov

Guy Webster 818-354-6278
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. June 9, 2009
guy.webster@jpl.nasa.gov

MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER MISSION STATUS REPORT

Mars Orbiter Resumes Science Observations

PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is examining Mars again with its
scientific instruments after successfully transitioning out of a precautionary standby mode
triggered by an unexpected June 3 rebooting of its computer.

Engineers brought the spacecraft out of the standby mode on June 6. Cameras and other
scientific instruments resumed operation June 9.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter reached Mars in 2006 and has returned more data about the
planet than all other Mars missions combined.

The June 3 rebooting resembled a Feb. 23 event on the spacecraft. Engineers are re-
investigating possible root causes for both events. The new investigation includes
reconsidering the likelihood of erroneous voltage readings resulting from cosmic rays or solar
particles hitting an electronic component.

#2009-096

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