NASA’s NRO-Donated Spy Satellite Telescope Could be Next Mars Orbiter

Tags: NASA, Telescope, NRO, Mars
Publication: Space.com
Publication Date: 05/15/2013

False-color image of gully channels in a crater in the southern highlands of Mars, taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera on the MRO. The MOST proposal would gather detailed observations from Mars’ orbit at about 100 times better resolution. Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

NASA is currently mulling potential uses for the two spy satellite telescopes that it received as a donation from the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) last year. Among the options, the space agency is considering sending one of them to Mars’ orbit, providing great views of its surfaces as well as targets in the outer solar system and beyond.

The two donated satellites have a much wider field of view than the Hubble telescope, using simply primary and secondary mirrors with no instruments attached. In November 2012, NASA opened up the floor for ideas on how to use these satellites and among the more than 60 they received was the Mars Orbiting Space Telescope (MOST) initiative.

MOST proposes to add an imaging spectral mapper, a high-resolution imager, an ultraviolet spectrometer, and a UHF antenna to the satellite. These instruments would allow it to make detailed observations from Mars’ orbit about 100 times better than the resolution achieved by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which has been circling the planet since 2006. According to MOST proponents, with these capabilities NASA could plan out future manned activities in Mars.

Additionally, MOST would also have the capabilities to look beyond Mars and explore planets and moons in the outer solar system.

Its proponents calculate it would take at least five years before such instrument could be ready for launch but any timeline would be premature since NASA hasn’t reached a decision yet on how to use the donated satellites.

 Full story