Fact Sheet: Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)

NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission set down a large, mobile laboratory — the rover Curiosity — at Gale Crater, using precision landing technology that made one of Mars’ most intriguing regions a viable destination for the first time. Within the first eight months of a 23-month primary mission, Curiosity met its major objective of finding evidence of a past environment well suited to supporting microbial life. The rover studies the geology and environment of selected areas in the crater and analyzes samples drilled from rocks or scooped from the ground. Curiosity carries the most advanced payload ever sent to Mars.