Life on Mars? NASA's MAVEN enters Martian orbit to find out

Maven traveled 442 million miles to Mars, using thrusters to slow down and enter an elliptical orbit 236 miles above Mars. After reorienting to communicate with Earth, Maven will adjust its orbit to study Mars's atmosphere and conduct ultraviolet imaging of the planet.

How did Maven slow down to be captured by Mars's gravity?

• By using a magnetic field

• By deploying solar sails

• By using parachutes

• By igniting thrusters

What was the purpose of Maven reorienting itself after the burn?

• To deploy scientific instruments

• To establish a data link with Earth

• To capture images of Mars

• To enter a lower orbit

What will Maven do at its closest point to Mars?

• Sample the gas and ion composition

• Deploy a rover

• Communicate with other spacecraft

• Capture high-resolution images

What type of imaging will Maven conduct at its highest point?

• Infrared imaging

• X-ray imaging

• Thermal imaging

• Ultraviolet imaging

What is the operational orbit range Maven will achieve?

• 93 miles by 3900 miles

• 100 miles by 4000 miles

• 150 miles by 3500 miles

• 200 miles by 3000 miles