1 Mar
2013
1 Mar
'13
9:42 a.m.
Here is good info on Mars for the 2014 opposition: http://spider.seds.org/spider/Mars/Add/2014_MARS.htm Rich, MRO has been in orbit around Mars since March of 2006. It's primary mission goals were accomplished long ago and it's now in extended-mission mode. Whether it's still operating by October of 2014 is a big question. I believe Mars Odyssey is still operating, but it's been there even longer than MRO. Cometary debris will also pose a hazard for any orbiting spacecraft. If MSL is still operating on the surface, it will also be in extended-mission mode by October 2014.