Mars Orbiter sends first views

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on Friday returned the first test images from its super high-resolution cameras, the most powerful photographic equipment to be trained on the Red Planet in NASA8217;s search for water and life. The black-and-white photos, taken by three cameras, show deep channels and layered surface debris around the planet8217;s midsection, features that probably were formed by water, said Alfred McEwen, a mission scientist and University of Arizona professor of planetary science. The images were taken from an altitude of 1,547 miles 2,489 km above the surface, about three times higher than the orbiter will be when it formally begins its science mission in November. The spacecraft, which reached orbit on March 10, is to map about 1 per cent of the Martian surface for future landings by robotic probes and human astronauts.