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Next Mars Orbiter
Proposed NASA Mars communications satellite / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Next Mars Orbiter (NeMO, earlier known as the Mars 2022 orbiter) is a proposed NASA Mars communications satellite with high-resolution imaging payload and two solar-electric ion thrusters.[2][3]
![]() This proposed telecommunications orbiter features ion thrusters and improved solar arrays. | |
Names | NeMO, Mars 2022 orbiter[1] |
---|---|
Mission type | Telecommunications and reconnaissance |
Operator | NASA |
Mission duration | Planned: 6.5 years[1] |
Spacecraft properties | |
Launch mass | 1,900 kg (4,200 lb)[1] |
Dry mass | 1,300 kg (2,900 lb)[1] |
Payload mass | Instruments: 50 kg (110 lb)[1] |
Power | 20 kW solar arrays[1] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | late 2020s |
Rocket | Falcon 9 or Atlas V-411[1] |
Mars orbiter | |
Orbital parameters | |
Periareion altitude | 320 km (200 mi)[1] |
Inclination | 75°–93° (polar orbit) |
The orbiter was initially proposed to be launched in September 2022 to link ground controllers with rovers and landers and extend mapping capabilities expected to be lost when the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and 2001 Mars Odyssey stop functioning,[2][1] but officials elected to focus on flying the Perseverance rover first to cache various samples for a later NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return that will incorporate a Mars telecom orbiter, now envisioned for the late 2020s.[4]