What planet is Curiosity studying?

Mars Science
The Mars Science Laboratory and its rover centerpiece, Curiosity, is the most ambitious Mars mission yet flown by NASA. The rover landed on Mars in 2012 with a primary mission to find out if Mars is, or was, suitable for life. Another objective is to learn more about the Red Planet’s environment.

What was Curiosity mission?

Curiosity’s mission is to determine whether the Red Planet ever was, or is, habitable to microbial life. The rover, which is about the size of a MINI Cooper, is equipped with 17 cameras and a robotic arm containing a suite of specialized laboratory-like tools and instruments.

What has Curiosity learned about Mars?

The Curiosity rover found that ancient Mars had the right chemistry to support living microbes. Curiosity found sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and carbon– key ingredients necessary for life–in the powder sample drilled from the “Sheepbed” mudstone in Yellowknife Bay.

Where is the location of the Curiosity rover on Mars?

This animation shows the approximate true position of NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars. A 3-D virtual model of Curiosity is shown inside Gale Crater, near Mount Sharp, Curiosity’s ultimate destination.

What was the purpose of the Mars rover Mardi?

After the drive, MARDI will also image the terrain immediately beneath the rover wheels. Standard RAD, REMS and DAN activities round out this plan. We are all looking forward to a new view! The Marsdial on the Curiosity rover was a spare from several made for the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.

What was the purpose of the NASA Curiosity rover?

The NASA rover performed a special chemistry experiment at the location captured in its newest self-portrait. New images taken from space offer the clearest orbital glimpse yet of InSight as well as a view of Curiosity rolling along. Read about the mission’s top science discoveries.

What did NASA do in Gale Crater on Mars?

For the first time in the history of space exploration, scientists have measured the seasonal changes in the gases that fill the air directly above the surface of Gale Crater on Mars. The NASA rover performed a special chemistry experiment at the location captured in its newest self-portrait.