Space

Curiosity rover safely lands on Mars

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August 6, 2012

Curiosity. — View from the front of the Curiosity rover, which has landed safely in the Gale Crater on Mars. What you’re seeing is the shadow of the rover on Mars’ surface. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory were jubilant last night, letting out a long whoop, following word of the picture-perfect descent and landing of the new Mars rover, Curiosity. The descent of the rover from the top of Mars’ atmosphere to the planet’s surface had earlier been called seven minutes of terror by these scientists, because of its extreme difficulty and zero margin for error. The safe landing of Curiosity marks the beginning what promises to be the most ambitious planetary missions in history. Mission mechanical system lead Adam Stelzner said:

It looks extremely clean. We touched down in conditions that were on the more benign side of our nominal expectations. It looks – at least by my eye – like we landed in a nice flat spot. Beautiful. Really beautiful.

Video: Mars Curiosity rover’s seven minutes of terror

Curiosity_Mars_firstt_images_2 — This is the view from the rear of the Curiosity rover on Mars, which safely touched down on the Martian surface on August 5, following a daring and unprecedented landing. You can see the rover’s wheel in the lower right. Color images will come later this week when the rover has its head up and Mastcam active.Image Credit: NASA TV

The Curiosity rover will be able to travel at speeds of up to 90 meters (0.06 miles) per hour, though it is expected to travel at a slower average of about 30 meters per hour. The rover can roll over obstacles up to 75 centimeters (30 inches) high.

Bottom line: NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover has landed safely on Mars.

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.