Editing Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (section)

=== Power systems ===
[[File:Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter solar panel.jpg|thumb|The ''MRO'' solar panel]]
''MRO'' gets all of its electrical power from two [[Photovoltaic module|solar panel]]s, each of which can move independently around two axes (up-down, or left-right rotation). Each solar panel measures {{convert|5.35|×|2.53|m|abbr=on}} and has {{convert|9.5|m2|abbr=on}}<!-- The area does not match the dimensions because the dimensions are not 100% filled with solar cells, as seen on the picture to the right. --> covered with 3,744 individual photovoltaic cells.<ref name=ps/><ref name=":1" /> Its high-efficiency [[solar cells]] are able to convert more than 26% of the energy it receives from the [[Sun]] directly into electricity and are connected together to produce a total output of 32&nbsp;[[volts]]. Whilst orbiting Mars, the panels together produce 600–2000{{Efn|Various figures are given for the power, ranging from 600 W to 2000 W at the [[aphelion]] to 1000 W at an unspecified location in the MRO's orbit. Due to the conflicting information from [[WP:RS|reliable sources]], a range has been used, instead of an exact number.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Electrical Power |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mro/mission/spacecraft/parts/electricalpower/ |access-date=January 31, 2023 |website=NASA MRO |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206092503/https://mars.nasa.gov/mro/mission/spacecraft/parts/electricalpower/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name="mro-science-paper" />}} watts of power;<ref name="auto"/><ref name=":1" /><ref name="mro-science-paper" /> in contrast, the panels would generate 6,000 watts in a comparable Earth orbit by being closer to the Sun.<ref name="ps"/><ref name=":1" />

''MRO'' has two rechargeable [[Nickel–hydrogen battery|nickel-hydrogen batteries]] used to power the spacecraft when it is not facing the Sun. Each battery has an energy storage capacity of 50&nbsp;[[ampere hour]]s (180&nbsp;[[coulomb|kC]]). The full range of the batteries cannot be used due to voltage constraints on the spacecraft, but allows the operators to extend the battery life—a valuable capability, given that battery drain is one of the most common causes of long-term satellite failure. Planners anticipate that only 40% of the batteries' capacities will be required during the lifetime of the spacecraft.<ref name=ps/>