New Probe to Rendezvous with Mars

by Richard Harris, NPR

If all goes well, a powerful new space probe will arrive Friday to Mars. As the name suggests, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will not land on the surface.

It's designed to view the entire planet from an altitude of about 200 miles.

But first it has to arrive safely, and that's been no easy feat for past Mars missions.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, March 10, 2006