![]() ![]() This data would be important for a future crewed mission. As part of its exploration, it also measured the radiation exposure in the interior of the spacecraft as it traveled to Mars, and it is continuing radiation measurements as it explores the surface of Mars. Characterize the broad spectrum of surface radiation, including galactic and cosmic radiation, solar proton events and secondary neutrons.Determine present state, distribution, and cycling of water and carbon dioxide.Assess long-timescale (i.e., 4-billion-year) Martian atmospheric evolution processes.Interpret the processes that have formed and modified rocks and soils.Investigate the chemical, isotopic, and mineralogical composition of the Martian surface and near-surface geological materials.Identify features that may represent the effects of biological processes ( biosignatures and biomolecules).Investigate the chemical building blocks of life (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur).Determine the nature and inventory of organic carbon compounds.To contribute to these goals, MSL has eight main scientific objectives: Biological The mission results will also help prepare for human exploration. Collier Trophy by the National Aeronautic Association "In recognition of the extraordinary achievements of successfully landing Curiosity on Mars, advancing the nation's technological and engineering capabilities, and significantly improving humanity's understanding of ancient Martian habitable environments." Curiosity 's rover design serves as the basis for NASA's 2021 Perseverance mission, which carries different scientific instruments.įurther information: Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory Goals and objectives Animation of the Curiosity rover, showing its capabilitiesĪs established by the Mars Exploration Program, the main scientific goals of the MSL mission are to help determine whether Mars could ever have supported life, as well as determining the role of water, and to study the climate and geology of Mars. The NASA/JPL Mars Science Laboratory/ Curiosity Project Team was awarded the 2012 Robert J. The rover is still operational, and as of 24 November 2023, Curiosity has been active on Mars for 4017 sols (4127 total days 11 years, 110 days) since its landing (see current status). On August 6, 2022, a detailed overview of accomplishments by the Curiosity rover for the last ten years was reported. In December 2012, Curiosity 's two-year mission was extended indefinitely, and on August 5, 2017, NASA celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Curiosity rover landing. Mission goals include an investigation of the Martian climate and geology, assessment of whether the selected field site inside Gale has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life (including investigation of the role of water), and planetary habitability studies in preparation for human exploration. The Bradbury Landing site was less than 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from the center of the rover's touchdown target after a 560 million km (350 million mi) journey. Curiosity was launched from Cape Canaveral (CCAFS) on November 26, 2011, at 15:02:00 UTC and landed on Aeolis Palus inside Gale crater on Mars on August 6, 2012, 05:17:57 UTC. A camera on the robotic arm, MAHLI, is similar to a magnifying glass a geologist would carry into the field, while a pair of cameras on the rover’s mast, collectively known as Mastcam, capture multi-color images that can be stitched into sweeping panoramas.Curiosity is a car-sized Mars rover exploring Gale crater and Mount Sharp on Mars as part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. In addition to the cameras that help rover operators plan drives, Curiosity is equipped with a variety of cameras to help scientists study rocks for clues, including whether they formed in still or running water. How favorable to life the environment was when the rocks were first Instrument, analyzes the types of minerals present in the rocks to tell ![]() SAM, short for Sample Analysis at Mars, figures out what carbon-containing compounds and other materials necessary for life are preserved in the rocks. The rover’s robotic arm collects soil and rock samples with a drill and scoop, and then drops them into its belly for analysis. To collect data and drill at scientifically interesting spots. Images from orbital satellites such as NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter-scientists and engineers work together to drive CuriosityĪcross the floor of Gale Crater and up Mount Sharp, stopping for weeks to months at a time Navigation cameras placed strategically around the rover, as well as Curiosity is a mobile science laboratory. ![]()
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