Mars in pictures: Stunning NASA portrait reveals ancient volcanic rock and sand dunes

Since the spacecraft entered orbit around Mars in 2006, NASA has extended MRO’s mission until 2010, 2012, 2014 and beyond.

During its mission, the 143 lbs (46kg) HiRISE instrument photographs the Red Planet “at resolutions never before seen in planetary exploration missions”.

NASA said: “These new, high-resolution images are providing unprecedented views of layered materials, gullies, channels, and other science targets, in addition to characterising possible future landing sites.”

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