NASA’s Curiosity Rover Celebrates 11th Anniversary Exploring Mars
August 6, 2023 – It has been 11 years since NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission commenced with the successful landing of the Curiosity rover on the Martian surface. Since then, Curiosity has been extensively exploring Gale Crater and collecting valuable data on the planet’s soil, rock formations, weather, and more.
Curiosity’s landing site was at the base of Mount Sharp, also known as Aeolis Mons, in Gale Crater, a crater that scientists believe was once a lake 3.5 billion years ago. The rover began its ascent up Mount Sharp in September 2014 after completing an eight-kilometer journey from its landing region. Over the years, Curiosity has made groundbreaking discoveries that will revolutionize planetary science and astrobiology.
In recent weeks, Curiosity has been exploring a region of Mount Sharp called “Jau.” This region is covered with numerous small impact craters, providing scientists with a unique opportunity to study them up close. The presence of these craters suggests that the area was once abundant with liquid water, further supporting the theory that Mount Sharp was surrounded by rivers, streams, ponds, and more.
While the climb up Mount Sharp has been challenging, especially as the terrain becomes steeper and more jagged, the team operating Curiosity back on Earth has been working meticulously to ensure the rover’s safety. Curiosity’s ascent up Mount Sharp has included navigating slippery sand, 23-degree inclines, and rocks the size of its wheels.
The team responsible for Curiosity’s operations, often referred to as “rover drivers,” have been crucial in guiding the rover’s movements. They write hundreds of lines of code each day, which command Curiosity’s mobility system and other instruments. These instructions include determining the best route for the rover to take, while also considering potential hazards along the way.
To minimize risks, scientists and engineers analyze images captured by Curiosity to identify any potentially dangerous rocks, sand, or other obstacles. If a hazard is detected, the rover is immediately programmed to avoid it. Curiosity also has built-in safety measures, such as stopping all movement when detecting potentially dangerous situations.
Despite the challenges faced during its climb up Mount Sharp, Curiosity successfully navigated a lateral detour, deviating from the originally planned route. The decision proved to be a success as the rover safely reached and traversed through the Jau region.
With Jau now behind it, Curiosity will continue its journey up Mount Sharp, uncovering the mysteries hidden within Mars’ red soil. The rover’s incredible teams back on Earth, with their extensive experience and expertise, are poised to guide Curiosity towards more groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
As Curiosity celebrates its 11th anniversary on the Red Planet, NASA and its mission partners eagerly anticipate the wealth of knowledge to be gained from further exploration. The dedication and innovation displayed by the Curiosity team highlight humanity’s relentless pursuit of understanding the secrets of the universe.
(Note: All images and quotes are courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)