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Maps shallow subsurface ice and seasonal dust transport.
Farpoint Kestrel is a Mars orbiter mapping shallow subsurface ice, seasonal dust transport and atmospheric structure. Its radar and imaging observations identify accessible volatile deposits for future robotic science.
The mission also serves as a precision radiometric-navigation source for independent tests of the Farpoint Deep Space Communications Complex.
LATEST OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Kestrel completed campaign M6-42 over the southern mid-latitude ice transition on 12 June 2026.
MISSION PARAMETERS
Values are the current public mission baseline or the final recorded result.
Asteria-M
Aerobraking followed
92.7° inclination
Completed
Terrain dependent
Funded through 2027
MISSION OBJECTIVES
Mission-level objectives are controlled through the approved program baseline.
Verification is recorded in mission operations and closeout documentation.
Verification is recorded in mission operations and closeout documentation.
Verification is recorded in mission operations and closeout documentation.
Verification is recorded in mission operations and closeout documentation.
