Abstract

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), which includes the Curiosity rover, successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 26 November. Soon after its planned 6 August 2012 landing at the foot of a mountain inside the 96‐kilometer‐diameter Gale crater, the rover will study whether that region of Mars offers any evidence of past and present environmental conditions favorable for microbial life, including chemical ingredients for life. “We are very excited about sending the world's most advanced scientific laboratory to Mars,” NASA administrator Charles Bolden said. “MSL will tell us critical things we need to know about Mars, and while it advances science, we'll be working on the capabilities for a human mission to the Red Planet and to other destinations where we've never been.”

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call