With the arrival of MRO and its very powerful, highly capable payload, we expect to enter into yet another chapter of Mars exploration. In addition to studying Mars as a system, MRO will also be looking at areas that are potential landing sites for our future landed missions.

We're very excited about the arrival of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in a couple of days, but my heart rate is going up for a different reason.

Those are very sobering numbers.

Their arrival will tighten the noose even more on smaller players.

And yet Its still moves

We expect to prove that the studies on which the Clinton administration based its ban were flawed and highly prejudiced. What's more, in the previous decision-making process, the public was prevented from participating as fully as the law allows. The agreement helps ensure that that won't happen this time around.