This full-scale copy of the Curiosity rover lives at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. It is used to test new software and problem-solve on Earth before moving the rover on Mars. In this image taken in June 2017, researchers have placed a sensor on the ground to test a new driving algorithm that adjusts the wheels to reduce wear. Image credit: NASA/JPL
This Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of the Curiosity rover’s mission on Mars. Since landing on Aug. 5, 2012, the little robot has been studying the geology and history of Mars. Right now, the Curiosity team is getting back to work after communication was cut off due to the position of the sun. To mark the fifth anniversary, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory put out a montage of views from Curiosity’s front left hazard avoidance camera, showing its 10.57 mile journey.
This may seem like a short distance, but Curiosity moves very slowly and often pauses to study its surroundings.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
