Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Next Mars Landing Target

Hey SPace Placers!

NASA's next mission to Mars - the Mars Science Laboratory (named Curiosity)  - is undergoing final testing and preparations for launch later this year. Scheduled to land on Mars in August 2012, Curiosity is about twice the size of the Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. Spirit is no longer operational and Opportunity is still going strong.

NASA has selected the 96-mile wide Gale Crater as Curosity's landing point as it is thought to represent the best conditions to look for signs of life on Mars. Curiosity will "follow the water" in its scientific explorations and will be nuclear powered so it will not be dependent on solar power which can get dangerously low for the vehicle in the Martian winter.

Read More About It: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-222#2


Gale Crater: Future Home of Mars Rover Curiosity

Sky Guy in VA

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