Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launch

Launched August 12, 2005 from Cape Canaveral using the Atlas V launch vehicle. After reaching Mars on March 10, 2006, it began a series of maneuvers to reach the desired orbit, using so-called aerodynamic braking (braking in the planet's upper atmosphere allows for significant fuel savings). Orbital maneuvers and various equipment checks and calibrations were completed in November 2006, after which the spacecraft began to work