Scientists sweat over Mars orbit

JITTERY NASA scientists are waiting for the most advanced spacecraft ever sent to another planet to make its risky final approach to Mars, where it is due to return 10 times the data of all previous probes put together.

NASA’s unmanned Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has travelled some 300 million miles since leaving Earth in August, is due to enter its most delicate phase today, when it will try to ease into orbit around Mars.

“We’re very excited about the arrival of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, but my heart rate is going up for a different reason,” said Fuk Li, Mars program manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, referring to the dangerous manoeuvre.