( CNN ) The comet Siding Spring whizzed within 87,000 miles of Mars on Sunday -- close enough to the Red Planet that the fleet of spacecraft orbiting Mars `` ducked '' for cover . But not before gathering some data . NASA took the precaution of having the spacecraft move behind the planet to avoid getting hit by Siding Spring 's trail of dust and gas . The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was the first of the spacecraft to report it was unharmed as the comet passed . It made observations of the comet before sheltering behind Mars , NASA said in a news release . `` The spacecraft performed flawlessly throughout the comet flyby , '' said Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Project Manager Dan Johnston of NASA 's Jet Propulsion Laboratory . `` It maneuvered for the planned observations of the comet and emerged unscathed . '' The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter immediately began to transmit information to Earth , but the full downlink could take days , NASA said . Siding Spring sped by Mars at a speed of about 126,000 miles per hour . The comet does not pose a threat to Earth and was headed back out to the outer reaches of the solar system , according to NASA . Hours after the comet passed at its closest point to Mars , NASA was still awaiting confirmation on the status of the Mars Odyssey orbiter and the new Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN ( MAVEN ) . Several Earth-based and space telescopes , including the Hubble Space Telescope , also took pictures . The NASA rovers that are on the surface of Mars were protected by Mars ' atmosphere , NASA said .
Siding Spring came within 87,000 miles of Mars ; that 's close for a comet flyby . Comment: The first of three NASA orbiters reported to be in good health .