Mars Science Laboratory: Curiosity Rover
Part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, at the time of launch, Curiosity was the largest and most capable rover ever sent to Mars at that time.
![Mars rover sitting on the red soil of mars and facing the camera for a selfie](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/pia24543-curiosity-selfie-1920x640-1.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Sulfur Crystals on Mars: Curiosity’s Happy Accident and Other Surprises (Live Public Talk)
Scientists were stunned when a wheel on the Curiosity Mars rover recently cracked open a rock to reveal something never seen before on the Red Planet: yellow sulfur crystals. Dr. Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist, explains the significance of the finding as well as other notable discoveries from the mountain-climbing Mars explorer’s 12th year on the Red Planet.
More on NASA's Mars Curiosity RoverMeet Curiosity
Landing Site: Gale Crater
Curiosity explores Gale Crater and acquires rock, soil, and air samples for onboard analysis. The car-size rover is about as tall as a basketball player and uses a 7 foot-long arm to place tools close to rocks selected for study. Curiosity's large size allows it to carry an advanced kit of 10 science instruments. It has tools including 17 cameras, a laser to vaporize and study small pinpoint spots of rocks at a distance, and a drill to collect powdered rock samples. It hunts for special rocks that formed in water and/or have signs of organics.
The Curiosity rover has taught us a lot about the history of Mars and its potential to support life. Take a tour of its landing site, Gale Crater. Credit NASA/JPL-Caltech