Hands Held High

Mars Science Laboratory mission scientists, flight controllers, managers and administrators raise their hands to a cheering crowd at a news conference following the successful landing of NASA’s Curiosity rover on Mars. The gesture is symbolic of the collaboration that made the mission possible. In the background is a thumbnail image of the rover’s shadow, sent within seconds of landing on the evening of Aug. 5, 2012 PDT (morning of Aug. 6 EDT).