The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is scheduled for launch in 2005. The contract awarded to Lockheed is for US$145 million, including the development and operations phases.

The 1,975 kg (4,355 lbm) Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will provide low altitude Mars remote sensing science observation, site investigation for future spacecraft that will land on Mars' surface, and telecommunications and navigation relay capability for follow-on missions. The contract will be worked in three phases: concept and requirements definition, detailed implementation and test and mission operations.

The primary science mission phase will last for one Martian year (approximately two Earth years), followed by a one-year relay phase in support of future missions of the international Mars exploration program. There is a high potential for continuing science observation during this phase, giving priority to evaluating landing sites for future missions.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter scientific payload currently includes three categories: global monitoring via an atmospheric sounder and wide-angle camera; regional surveys via a subsurface sounding radar and medium-angle camera; and targeted observations via a high-resolution imager and visible- near infrared imaging spectrometer. In addition to the science payloads, the Orbiter features a UHF navigation and communications package for use with future missions and an optical navigation camera.

Lockheed Martin will build the orbiter bus and be responsible for integrating and testing six science instruments and two engineering payloads. Lockheed Martin will also provide spacecraft operations support for the five-and-a-half year mission. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif., will manage the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission.