Curiosity Rover Timeline on:
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The
In April 2004, the United States
(2009)
41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
(2010) At this point, cost overruns were approximately $400 million.Mars Science Laboratory: Still Alive, For Now
10 October 2008. ''Universe Today''. In December 2008, lift-off was delayed to November 2011 due to insufficient time for testing and integration. Between 23–29 March 2009, the general public ranked nine finalist rover names (''Adventure, Amelia, Journey, Perception, Pursuit, Sunrise, Vision, Wonder'', and ''Curiosity'') through a public poll on the NASA website. On 27 May 2009, the winning name was announced to be ''Curiosity''. The name had been submitted in an essay contest by Clara Ma, a then sixth-grader from Kansas.
September 2010 and the fifth and final workshop 16–18 May 2011.
March 2011 On 22 July 2011, it was announced that
/ref> The first and second rocket stages, along with the rocket motors, were stacked on 9 October 2011, near the launch pad. The fairing containing the spacecraft was transported to the launch pad on 3 November 2011. On 13 December 2011, the rover began monitoring
the ''Curiosity'' rover
an
related Parachute
(
by ''Curiosity'' on Mars was performed on a rock, N165 ("Coronation" rock), near
close-up 1
close-up 2
were taken of the object and preliminary interpretations by scientists suggest the object to be "debris from the spacecraft". Nonetheless, further images in the nearby sand have detected other "bright particles"
image
close-up 1
. These newly discovered objects are presently thought to be "native Martian material". On 17 October 2012, at ''Rocknest'', the first
On 28 February 2013, NASA was forced to switch to the backup computer due to an issue with the then active computer's flash memory which resulted in the computer continuously rebooting in a loop. The backup computer was turned on in safe mode and was converted to operational status on 19 March 2013.
On 18 March 2013, NASA reported evidence of 
Between 4 April – 1 May 2013, ''Curiosity'' operated autonomously due to a Martian
video-1video-2
summarizing the rover's accomplishments over the year. Primarily, the mission found evidence of " ancient environments suitable for life" on Mars. The rover drove over one-mile across the Martian terrain, transmitted more than 190 gigabits of data to Earth, including 70,000 images (36,700 full images and 35,000 thumbnails), and the rover's
On 13 November 2013, NASA announced the names of two features on Mars important to two active
The World of Mars
) of current and proposed Mars exploration by John Grotzinger, chief scientist of the ''Curiosity'' rover mission, was published in the
video (01:07)
) On 6 August 2014, ''Curiosity'' celebrated its second anniversary since
video (01:25)
the arrival of ''Curiosity'' at
On 19 October 2014, the ''Curiosity'' rover viewed the flyby of Comet C/2013 A1.
On 8 December 2014, a panel of NASA scientists discussed
archive 62:03)
the latest observations of ''Curiosity'', including findings about how water may have helped shape the landscape of Mars and had a climate long ago that could have produced long-lasting lakes at many Martian locations. On 16 December 2014, NASA reported detecting an unusual increase, then decrease, in the amounts of
On 19 August 2015, NASA scientists reported that the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) instrument on the ''Curiosity'' rover detected an unusual hydrogen-rich area, at "Marias Pass," on Mars. The hydrogen found seemed related to water or hydroxyl ions in rocks within three feet beneath the rover, according to the scientists.
On 5 October 2015, possible recurrent slope lineae, wet brine flows, were reported on
The second extended mission began on 1 October 2016. The rover explored a ridge known as the Murray Formation for most of the mission.
As of 3 October 2016, NASA summarized the findings of the mission, thus far, as follows: "The Curiosity mission has already achieved its main goal of determining whether the landing region ever offered environmental conditions that would have been favorable for microbial life, if Mars has ever hosted life. The mission found evidence of ancient rivers and lakes, with a chemical energy source and all of the chemical ingredients necessary for life as we know it." Plans for the next two years, up to September 2018, include further explorations of the uphill slopes of
''Curiosity'' First Five Years (02:07)''Curiosity'' POV: Five Years Driving (05:49)''Curiosity'' Discoveries About Gale Crater (02:54)
On 5 September 2017, scientists reported that the ''Curiosity'' rover detected boron, an essential ingredient for life on
On 7 June 2018, NASA announced a cyclical seasonal variation in atmospheric
The third extended mission began on 1 October 2019 - the rover's 2544th sol on Mars.
In October 2019, evidence in the form of magnesium sulfate deposits left behind in ways that suggested evaporation, uncovered by the ''Curiosity'' rover on Mount Sharp, was reported of a wide ancient basin in Gale crater that once may have contained a salty lake.
In January 2020, a report was presented that compared ''Curiosity'' at the time of its landing on Mars in 2012, with the rover over seven years later in 2020.
In February 2020, scientists reported the detection of thiophene Organic compound, organic molecules by the ''Curiosity'' rover on the planet
The rover began its fourth extended mission on 1 October 2022, which will last until October 2025.
In January 2023, the Curiosity Rover viewed and studied the "Cacao" meteorite.
In August 2023, ''Curiosity'' explored the upper Gediz Vallis Ridge. A panoramic view of the ridge is :File:PIA26019-MarsCuriosityRover-GedizVallisRidge-20230814.jpg, here, and a 3D rendered view is :File:PIA26020-MarsCuriosityRover-GedizVallisRidge-3dRendered-Aug2023.jpg, here.
In February 2024, Curiosity completed its 40th successful drilling, of a rock named "Mineral King" in Gediz Vallis.
In July 2024, it was announced that, in an analysis of a rock that had been crushed by the rover (one in a series of deposits), elemental pure sulfur had been found on Mars for the first time.
In October 2024, the science team behind the SAM experiment onboard the rover announced the results of three years of sampling, which suggested that based on high carbon-13 and oxygen-18 levels in the regolith, the early Martian atmosphere was unlikely to be stable enough to support surface water hospitable to life, with rapid wetting-drying cycles and very high-salinity cryogenic brines providing an explanation.
In March 2025 it was published that ''Curiosity'' discovered long chain Alkane, alkanes with up to 12 consecutive carbon atoms, in
Current Weather Report
on Mars by the ''Curiosity'' rover
Current Weather Report
on Mars by the ''InSight'' lander
Current Weather Report
on Mars by the Perseverance (rover), ''Perseverance'' rover
This up-to-date NASA link shows ''Curiosity'' travels and present location
As of , , ''Curiosity'' has been on the planet Mars for Martian day, sols ( day, total days) since landing on 6 August 2012. Since 11 September 2014, ''Curiosity'' has bee
exploring
the slopes of
''Curiosity'' Rover Official Page.
* Atmosphere of Mars, Mars Weather
''Perseverance''''Curiosity''''InSight''
!---()--->
* [https://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/03/4-billion-pixel-mars-panorama/ Panoramic View of Gale Crater on Mars (4 billion pixels)] (March 2013).
Video (04:32) - ''Evidence for 'Vigorously' Flowing Water on Ancient Mars''
(September 2012).
Video (02:52) - ''Curiosity'' view from Mount Sharp
(
STScI Webcast Catalog and Archive
- (Robert Hazen;
Video (86:49) - ''Search for Life in the Universe''
- (
The Mars Science Laboratory
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a robotic spacecraft, robotic space probe mission to Mars launched by NASA on November 26, 2011, which successfully landed ''Curiosity (rover), Curiosity'', a Mars rover, in Gale (crater), Gale Crater on Augus ...
and its rover, ''Curiosity'', were launched from Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to Planetary habitability, harbor life. This is enabled by Earth being an ocean world, the only one in the Solar System sustaining liquid surface water. Almost all ...
on 26 November 2011. As of , , ''Curiosity'' has been in Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
on the planet Mars for sols ( total days; ') since landing on 6 August 2012. ''(See Current status.)''
Prelaunch (2004–2011)
In April 2004, the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the United States's civil space program, aeronautics research and space research. Established in 1958, it su ...
(NASA) called for scientific experiments and instruments proposals for the Mars Science Laboratory
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a robotic spacecraft, robotic space probe mission to Mars launched by NASA on November 26, 2011, which successfully landed ''Curiosity (rover), Curiosity'', a Mars rover, in Gale (crater), Gale Crater on Augus ...
and rover mission. Launch was proposed for September 2009. By 14 December 2004, eight proposals were selected, including instruments from Russia and Spain.
Testing of components also began in late 2004, including Aerojet
Aerojet was an American rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer based primarily in Rancho Cordova, California, with divisions in Redmond, Washington, Orange and Gainesville in Virginia, and Camden, Arkansas. Aerojet was owned by GenCorp, ...
's monopropellant
Monopropellants are propellants consisting of chemicals that release energy through exothermic chemical decomposition. The molecular bond energy of the monopropellant is released usually through use of a catalyst. This can be contrasted with biprop ...
engine with the ability to throttle from 15 to 100 percent thrust with a fixed propellant inlet pressure. By November 2008 most hardware and software development was complete, and testing continued.40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference(2009)
41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
(2010) At this point, cost overruns were approximately $400 million.Mars Science Laboratory: Still Alive, For Now
10 October 2008. ''Universe Today''. In December 2008, lift-off was delayed to November 2011 due to insufficient time for testing and integration. Between 23–29 March 2009, the general public ranked nine finalist rover names (''Adventure, Amelia, Journey, Perception, Pursuit, Sunrise, Vision, Wonder'', and ''Curiosity'') through a public poll on the NASA website. On 27 May 2009, the winning name was announced to be ''Curiosity''. The name had been submitted in an essay contest by Clara Ma, a then sixth-grader from Kansas.
Landing site selection
At the first MSL Landing Site workshop, 33 potential landing sites were identified. By the second workshop in late 2007, the list had grown to include almost 50 sites, and by the end of the workshop, the list was reduced to six; in November 2008, project leaders at a third workshop reduced the list to these four landing sites: A fourth landing site workshop was held in late September 2010,September 2010 and the fifth and final workshop 16–18 May 2011.
March 2011 On 22 July 2011, it was announced that
Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
had been selected as the landing site of the Mars Science Laboratory mission.
Launch (2011)
MSL was launched fromCape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41
Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41), sometimes referred to as "Slick Forty-one," is one of two launch sites at the Integrate-Transfer-Launch Complex in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Originally built as Launch Complex 41 (LC-41), it and ...
on 26 November 2011, at 10:02 EST (15:02 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the primary time standard globally used to regulate clocks and time. It establishes a reference for the current time, forming the basis for civil time and time zones. UTC facilitates international communica ...
) aboard an Atlas V
Atlas V is an expendable launch system and the fifth major version in the Atlas (rocket family), Atlas launch vehicle family. It was developed by Lockheed Martin and has been operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2006. Primarily used to ...
541 provided by United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance, LLC (ULA) is an American launch service provider formed in December 2006 as a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The company designs, assembles, sells and launches rockets ...
.
MSL cruise configuration/ref> The first and second rocket stages, along with the rocket motors, were stacked on 9 October 2011, near the launch pad. The fairing containing the spacecraft was transported to the launch pad on 3 November 2011. On 13 December 2011, the rover began monitoring
space radiation
Space is a three-dimensional continuum containing positions and directions. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions. Modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless ...
to aid in planning for future crewed missions to Mars.
The interplanetary journey to Mars took more than eight months, time during which, the spacecraft performed four trajectory corrections: on 11 January, 26 March, 26 June and on 28 July. Mission design had allowed for a maximum of 6 trajectory correction opportunities.
Landing (2012)
''Curiosity'' landed in theGale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
at 05:17 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the primary time standard globally used to regulate clocks and time. It establishes a reference for the current time, forming the basis for civil time and time zones. UTC facilitates international communica ...
on 6 August 2012. Upon reaching Mars, an automated precision landing sequence took over the entire landing events. A cable cutter separated the cruise stage from the aeroshell and then the cruise stage was diverted into a trajectory for burn-up in the atmosphere. Landing was confirmed simultaneously by 3 monitoring Mars orbiters. ''Curiosity'' landed on target and only from its center. The coordinates of the landing site (named "Bradbury Landing
Bradbury Landing is the August 6, 2012, landing site within Gale (crater), Gale crater on planet Mars of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, ''Curiosity'' rover. On August 22, 2012, on what would have been his 92nd birthday, NAS ...
") are: .
Some low resolution Hazcam
Hazcams (short for hazard avoidance cameras) are photographic cameras mounted on the front and rear of NASA's ''Spirit'', ''Opportunity'', ''Curiosity'' and ''Perseverance'' rover missions to Mars and on the lower front portion of Chinese ...
images were beamed to Earth by relay orbiters confirming the rover's wheels were deployed correctly and on the ground. Three hours later, the rover begins to beam detailed data on its systems' status as well as on its entry, descent and landing experience. Aerial 3-D images of the landing site are available and includethe ''Curiosity'' rover
an
related Parachute
(
HiRISE
High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment is a camera on board the '' Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter'' which has been orbiting and studying Mars since 2006. The 65 kg (143 lb), US$40 million instrument was built under the direction ...
, 10 October 2012).
On 8 August 2012, Mission Control began upgrading the rover's dual computers by deleting the entry-descent-landing software, then uploading and installing the surface operation software; the switchover was completed by 15 August.
Prime mission (2012 - September 2014)
On 15 August 2012, the rover began several days of instrument checks and mobility tests.Bradbury Landing
Bradbury Landing is the August 6, 2012, landing site within Gale (crater), Gale crater on planet Mars of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, ''Curiosity'' rover. On August 22, 2012, on what would have been his 92nd birthday, NAS ...
on 19 August 2012.
The science and operations teams have identified at least six possible routes to the base of Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
, and estimate about a year studying the rocks and soil of the crater floor while ''Curiosity'' slowly makes its way to the base of the mountain. The ChemCam team expects to take approximately one dozen compositional measurements of rocks per day.
Having completed its mobility tests, the rover's first drive began on 29 August 2012, to a place called Glenelg about to the east. Glenelg is a location where three types of terrain intersect, and is the mission's first major driving destination. The drive across may take up to two months, after which ''Curiosity'' will stay at Glenelg for a month.
On the way, ''Curiosity'' studied a pyramidal rock dubbed " Jake Matijevic" after a mathematician-turned-rover-engineer who played a critical role in the design of the six-wheeled rover, but died just days after ''Curiosity'' landed in August.
The ''Jake rock'' measures about tall and wide. It is an igneous rock
Igneous rock ( ), or magmatic rock, is one of the three main rock types, the others being sedimentary and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
The magma can be derived from partial ...
and may be a mugearite
Mugearite () is a type of oligoclase-bearing basalt, comprising olivine, apatite, and opaque oxides. The main feldspar in mugearite is oligoclase.
Mugearite is a sodium-rich member of the alkaline magma series. In the TAS classification of volc ...
, a sodium rich oligoclase
Oligoclase is a rock-forming mineral belonging to the plagioclase feldspars. In chemical composition and in its crystallographic and physical characters it is intermediate between albite ( Na Al Si3 O8) and anorthite ( CaAl2Si2O8). The albite:ano ...
-bearing basaltic trachyandesite
Trachyandesite is an extrusive igneous rock with a composition between trachyte and andesite. It has little or no free quartz, but is dominated by sodic plagioclase and alkali feldspar. It is formed from the cooling of lava enriched in alkal ...
. Afterwards, on 30 September 2012, a finely-grained rock, named "Bathurst Inlet
Bathurst Inlet, officially Kiluhiqtuq, is a deep inlet located along the northern coast of the Canadian mainland, at the east end of Coronation Gulf, into which the Burnside and Western rivers empty. The name, or its native equivalent ''Kingo ...
", was examined by ''Curiosity'' Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) and Alpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS). The rock was named after Bathurst Inlet
Bathurst Inlet, officially Kiluhiqtuq, is a deep inlet located along the northern coast of the Canadian mainland, at the east end of Coronation Gulf, into which the Burnside and Western rivers empty. The name, or its native equivalent ''Kingo ...
, a deep inlet located along the northern coast of the Canadian mainland. Also, a sand patch, named " Rocknest", is a test target for the first use of the scoop on the arm of the ''Curiosity rover''.
Evidence for ancient water
On 27 September 2012, NASA scientists announced that the ''Curiosity'' rover found evidence for an ancientstreambed
A streambed or stream bed is the bottom of a stream or river and is confined within a channel or the banks of the waterway. Usually, the bed does not contain terrestrial (land) vegetation and instead supports different types of aquatic vegetat ...
suggesting a "vigorous flow" of water on Mars
Although very small amounts of liquid water may occur transiently on the surface of Mars, limited to traces of dissolved moisture from the atmosphere and thin films, large quantities of ice are present on and under the surface. Small amounts of ...
.
On 7 October 2012, a mysterious "bright object" (image
An image or picture is a visual representation. An image can be Two-dimensional space, two-dimensional, such as a drawing, painting, or photograph, or Three-dimensional space, three-dimensional, such as a carving or sculpture. Images may be di ...
), discovered in the sand at '' Rocknest'', drew scientific interest. Several close-up pictures
close-up 1
close-up 2
were taken of the object and preliminary interpretations by scientists suggest the object to be "debris from the spacecraft". Nonetheless, further images in the nearby sand have detected other "bright particles"
image
close-up 1
. These newly discovered objects are presently thought to be "native Martian material". On 17 October 2012, at ''Rocknest'', the first
X-ray diffraction analysis
X-ray crystallography is the experimental science of determining the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal, in which the crystalline structure causes a beam of incident X-rays to diffract in specific directions. By measuring the angles and ...
of Martian soil
Martian regolith is the fine blanket of unconsolidated, loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering the surface of Mars. The term ''Martian soil'' typically refers to the finer fraction of regolith. So far, no samples have been returned to ...
was performed. The results revealed the presence of several minerals, including feldspar
Feldspar ( ; sometimes spelled felspar) is a group of rock-forming aluminium tectosilicate minerals, also containing other cations such as sodium, calcium, potassium, or barium. The most common members of the feldspar group are the ''plagiocl ...
, pyroxene
The pyroxenes (commonly abbreviated Px) are a group of important rock-forming inosilicate minerals found in many igneous and metamorphic rocks. Pyroxenes have the general formula , where X represents ions of calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), iron ( ...
s and olivine
The mineral olivine () is a magnesium iron Silicate minerals, silicate with the chemical formula . It is a type of Nesosilicates, nesosilicate or orthosilicate. The primary component of the Earth's upper mantle (Earth), upper mantle, it is a com ...
, and suggested that the Martian soil in the sample was similar to the weathered basaltic soils of Hawaiian volcanoes. The sample used is composed of dust
Dust is made of particle size, fine particles of solid matter. On Earth, it generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil lifted by wind (an aeolian processes, aeolian process), Types of volcan ...
distributed from global dust storms and local fine sand. So far, the materials ''Curiosity'' has analyzed are consistent with the initial ideas of deposits in Gale Crater recording a transition through time from a wet to dry environment.
On 22 November 2012, the ''Curiosity'' rover analyzed a rock named " Rocknest 3" with the APXS
:''APXS is also an abbreviation for APache eXtenSion tool, an extension for Apache web servers.''
An alpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS) is a spectrometer that analyses the chemical element composition of a sample from scattered alpha parti ...
and then resumed traveling toward "Point Lake" overlook on its way to Glenelg Intrigue.
On 3 December 2012, NASA reported that ''Curiosity
Curiosity (from Latin , from "careful, diligent, curious", akin to "care") is a quality related to inquisitive thinking, such as exploration, investigation, and learning, evident in humans and other animals. Curiosity helps Developmental psyc ...
'' performed its first extensive soil analysis, revealing the presence of water molecules
Water () is a polar inorganic compound that is at room temperature a tasteless and odorless liquid, which is nearly colorless apart from an inherent hint of blue. It is by far the most studied chemical compound and is described as the "univer ...
, sulfur
Sulfur ( American spelling and the preferred IUPAC name) or sulphur ( Commonwealth spelling) is a chemical element; it has symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms ...
and chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Cl and atomic number 17. The second-lightest of the halogens, it appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and its properties are mostly intermediate between ...
in the Martian soil
Martian regolith is the fine blanket of unconsolidated, loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering the surface of Mars. The term ''Martian soil'' typically refers to the finer fraction of regolith. So far, no samples have been returned to ...
. The presence of perchlorates
A perchlorate is a chemical compound containing the perchlorate ion, , the conjugate base of perchloric acid (ionic perchlorate). As counterions, there can be metal cations, quaternary ammonium cations or other ions, for example, nitronium cation ...
in the sample seems highly likely. The presence of sulfate
The sulfate or sulphate ion is a polyatomic anion with the empirical formula . Salts, acid derivatives, and peroxides of sulfate are widely used in industry. Sulfates occur widely in everyday life. Sulfates are salts of sulfuric acid and many ...
and sulfide
Sulfide (also sulphide in British English) is an inorganic anion of sulfur with the chemical formula S2− or a compound containing one or more S2− ions. Solutions of sulfide salts are corrosive. ''Sulfide'' also refers to large families o ...
is also likely because sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (IUPAC-recommended spelling) or sulphur dioxide (traditional Commonwealth English) is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless gas with a pungent smell that is responsible for the odor of burnt matches. It is r ...
and hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide is a chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless chalcogen-hydride gas, and is toxic, corrosive, and flammable. Trace amounts in ambient atmosphere have a characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. Swedish chemist ...
were detected. Small amounts of chloromethane
Chloromethane, also called methyl chloride, Refrigerant-40, R-40 or HCC 40, is an organic compound with the chemical formula . One of the haloalkanes, it is a colorless, sweet-smelling, flammable gas. Methyl chloride is a crucial reagent in indu ...
, dichloromethane
Dichloromethane (DCM, methylene chloride, or methylene bichloride) is an organochlorine compound with the formula . This colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odor is widely used as a solvent. Although it is not miscible with ...
and trichloromethane
Chloroform, or trichloromethane (often abbreviated as TCM), is an organochloride with the chemical formula, formula and a common solvent. It is a Volatility (chemistry), volatile, colorless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid produced on a large scale ...
were detected. The source of the carbon in these molecules is unclear. Possible sources include contamination of the instrument, organics in the sample and inorganic carbonates
A carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, (), characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, a polyatomic ion with the formula . The word "carbonate" may also refer to a carbonate ester, an organic compound containing the carbonate group . ...
.
Evidence for ancient habitability
In February 2013, the rover used its drill for the first time. In March 2013, NASA reported ''Curiosity
Curiosity (from Latin , from "careful, diligent, curious", akin to "care") is a quality related to inquisitive thinking, such as exploration, investigation, and learning, evident in humans and other animals. Curiosity helps Developmental psyc ...
'' found evidence that geochemical
Geochemistry is the science that uses the tools and principles of chemistry to explain the mechanisms behind major geological systems such as the Earth's crust and its oceans. The realm of geochemistry extends beyond the Earth, encompassing the ...
conditions in Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
were once suitable for microbial life
A microorganism, or microbe, is an organism of microscopic scale, microscopic size, which may exist in its unicellular organism, single-celled form or as a Colony (biology)#Microbial colonies, colony of cells. The possible existence of unseen ...
after analyzing the first drilled sample of Martian rock, "John Klein" rock at ''Yellowknife Bay'' in Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
. The rover detected water
Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and Color of water, nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known liv ...
, carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalent bond, covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in a gas state at room temperature and at norma ...
, oxygen
Oxygen is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group (periodic table), group in the periodic table, a highly reactivity (chemistry), reactive nonmetal (chemistry), non ...
, sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (IUPAC-recommended spelling) or sulphur dioxide (traditional Commonwealth English) is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless gas with a pungent smell that is responsible for the odor of burnt matches. It is r ...
and hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide is a chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless chalcogen-hydride gas, and is toxic, corrosive, and flammable. Trace amounts in ambient atmosphere have a characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. Swedish chemist ...
. Chloromethane
Chloromethane, also called methyl chloride, Refrigerant-40, R-40 or HCC 40, is an organic compound with the chemical formula . One of the haloalkanes, it is a colorless, sweet-smelling, flammable gas. Methyl chloride is a crucial reagent in indu ...
and dichloromethane
Dichloromethane (DCM, methylene chloride, or methylene bichloride) is an organochlorine compound with the formula . This colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odor is widely used as a solvent. Although it is not miscible with ...
were also detected. Related tests found results consistent with the presence of smectite clay minerals. In addition, sandstone beds associated with the Gillespie Lake Member of ''Yellowknife Bay
Yellowknife is the capital, largest community, and the only city in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It is on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, about south of the Arctic Circle, on the west side of Yellowknife Bay near the outlet of t ...
'' seem similar to microbially induced sedimentary structure
Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) are primary sedimentary structures formed by the interaction of microbes with sediment and physical agents of erosion, deposition, and transportation. The structures commonly form when microbial ma ...
s (MISS) found on Earth, according to one study.Evidence for atmospheric loss
On 8 April 2013, NASA reported that much of theatmosphere of Mars
The atmosphere of Mars is the layer of gases surrounding Mars. It is primarily composed of carbon dioxide (95%), molecular nitrogen (2.85%), and argon (2%). It also contains trace levels of water vapor, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and nob ...
has been lost based on argon isotope ratios studies.
On 19 July 2013, NASA scientists published the results of a new analysis of the atmosphere of Mars
The atmosphere of Mars is the layer of gases surrounding Mars. It is primarily composed of carbon dioxide (95%), molecular nitrogen (2.85%), and argon (2%). It also contains trace levels of water vapor, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and nob ...
, reporting a lack of methane
Methane ( , ) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main constituent of natural gas. The abundance of methane on Earth makes ...
around the landing site of the ''Curiosity'' rover. In addition, the scientists found evidence that Mars "has lost a good deal of its atmosphere over time", based on the abundance of isotopic compositions of gases, particularly those related to argon
Argon is a chemical element; it has symbol Ar and atomic number 18. It is in group 18 of the periodic table and is a noble gas. Argon is the third most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, at 0.934% (9340 ppmv). It is more than twice as abu ...
and carbon
Carbon () is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol C and atomic number 6. It is nonmetallic and tetravalence, tetravalent—meaning that its atoms are able to form up to four covalent bonds due to its valence shell exhibiting 4 ...
.
Other 2013 events
On 28 February 2013, NASA was forced to switch to the backup computer due to an issue with the then active computer's flash memory which resulted in the computer continuously rebooting in a loop. The backup computer was turned on in safe mode and was converted to operational status on 19 March 2013.
On 18 March 2013, NASA reported evidence of mineral hydration
In inorganic chemistry, mineral hydration is a reaction which adds water to the crystal structure of a mineral, usually creating a new mineral, commonly called a ''hydrate''.
In geological terms, the process of mineral hydration is known as ''re ...
, likely hydrated calcium sulfate
Calcium sulfate (or calcium sulphate) is an inorganic salt with the chemical formula . It occurs in several hydrated forms; the anhydrous state (known as anhydrite) is a white crystalline solid often found in evaporite deposits. Its dihydrate ...
, in several rock samples including the broken fragments of "Tintina" rock and "Sutton Inlier" rock as well as in veins
Veins () are blood vessels in the circulatory system of humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are those of the pulmonary and fetal c ...
and nodules
Nodule may refer to:
*Nodule (geology), a small rock or mineral cluster
*Manganese nodule, a metallic concretion found on the seafloor
*Nodule (medicine), a small aggregation of cells
*Root nodule
Root nodules are found on the roots of plants, p ...
in other rocks like "Knorr" rock and "Wernicke" rock. Analysis using the rover's DAN instrument provided evidence of subsurface water, amounting to as much as 4% water content, down to a depth of , in the rover's traverse from the ''Bradbury Landing
Bradbury Landing is the August 6, 2012, landing site within Gale (crater), Gale crater on planet Mars of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, ''Curiosity'' rover. On August 22, 2012, on what would have been his 92nd birthday, NAS ...
'' site to the ''Yellowknife Bay'' area in the ''Glenelg'' terrain.
Between 4 April – 1 May 2013, ''Curiosity'' operated autonomously due to a Martian solar conjunction
Solar conjunction generally occurs when a planet or other Solar System object is on the opposite side of the Sun from the Earth. From an Earth reference, the Sun will pass between the Earth and the object. Communication with any spacecraft in sol ...
with Earth. While ''Curiosity'' transmitted a beep to Earth each day and the ''Odyssey
The ''Odyssey'' (; ) is one of two major epics of ancient Greek literature attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest surviving works of literature and remains popular with modern audiences. Like the ''Iliad'', the ''Odyssey'' is divi ...
''spacecraft continued to relay information from the rover, no commands were sent from mission control since there was a possibility of data corruption due to interference from the Sun. ''Curiosity'' continued to perform stationary science at Yellowknife Bay for the duration of the conjunction.
On 5 June 2013, NASA announced that ''Curiosity'' will soon begin a journey from the Glenelg area to the base of Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
. The trip is expected to take nine months to a year with stops along the way to study the local terrain.
On 16 July 2013, the ''Curiosity'' rover reached a milestone in its journey across Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
, having traveled , since its landing in 2012; on 1 August 2013, the rover traveled over one mile: .
On 6 August 2013, NASA celebrated ''Curiosity'' first year on Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
(6 August 2012 to 5 August 2013) by programming the rover to perform the "Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday may refer to:
* "Happy Birthday", an expression of good will offered on a person's birthday
Film and theatre
* ''Happy Birthday'' (play), a 1946 Broadway play by Anita Loos
* ''Happy Birthday'' (1998 film), a Russian drama by La ...
" song to itself. NASA also released several videosvideo-1
summarizing the rover's accomplishments over the year. Primarily, the mission found evidence of " ancient environments suitable for life" on Mars. The rover drove over one-mile across the Martian terrain, transmitted more than 190 gigabits of data to Earth, including 70,000 images (36,700 full images and 35,000 thumbnails), and the rover's
laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The word ''laser'' originated as an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radi ...
fired more than 75,000 times at 2,000 targets.
On 27 August 2013, ''Curiosity'' used autonomous navigation (or ''"autonav"''- the ability of the rover to decide for itself how to drive safely) over unknown Martian ground for the first time.
On 19 September 2013, NASA scientists, on the basis of further measurements by ''Curiosity'', reported no detection of atmospheric methane
Atmospheric methane is the methane present in Earth's atmosphere. The concentration of atmospheric methane is increasing due to methane emissions, and is causing climate change. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Methane's radiati ...
with a measured value of ppbv corresponding to an upper limit of only 1.3 ppbv (95% confidence limit) and, as a result, conclude that the probability of current methanogenic microbial activity on Mars is reduced.
On 26 September 2013, NASA scientists reported the Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
''Curiosity'' rover detected "abundant, easily accessible" water
Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and Color of water, nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known liv ...
(1.5 to 3 weight percent) in soil samples
A soil test is a laboratory or in-situ analysis to determine the chemical, physical or biological characteristics of a soil. Possibly the most widely conducted soil tests are those performed to estimate the plant-available concentrations of nutri ...
at the Rocknest region of Aeolis Palus
Aeolis Palus is a plain between the northern wall of Gale crater and the northern foothills of Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp) on Mars. It is located at .
The NASA Mars Science Laboratory mission landed the ''Curiosity'' rover on Aeolis Palus in Aug ...
in Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
. In addition, NASA reported that the ''Curiosity'' rover found two principal soil types: a fine-grained mafic type and a locally derived, coarse-grained felsic type. The mafic type, similar to other Martian soil
Martian regolith is the fine blanket of unconsolidated, loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering the surface of Mars. The term ''Martian soil'' typically refers to the finer fraction of regolith. So far, no samples have been returned to ...
s and Martian dust
Martian regolith is the fine blanket of unconsolidated, loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering the surface of Mars. The term ''Martian soil'' typically refers to the finer fraction of regolith. So far, no samples have been returned to ...
, was associated with hydration of the amorphous phases of the soil. Also, perchlorates
A perchlorate is a chemical compound containing the perchlorate ion, , the conjugate base of perchloric acid (ionic perchlorate). As counterions, there can be metal cations, quaternary ammonium cations or other ions, for example, nitronium cation ...
, the presence of which may make detection of life-related organic molecules
Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-cont ...
difficult, were found at the ''Curiosity'' rover landing site (and earlier at the more polar site of the Phoenix lander
''Phoenix'' was an uncrewed space probe that landed on the surface of Mars on May 25, 2008, and operated until November 2, 2008. ''Phoenix'' was operational on Mars for sols ( days). Its instruments were used to assess the local habitabili ...
) suggesting a "global distribution of these salts". NASA also reported that Jake M rock, a rock encountered by ''Curiosity'' on the way to Glenelg, was a mugearite
Mugearite () is a type of oligoclase-bearing basalt, comprising olivine, apatite, and opaque oxides. The main feldspar in mugearite is oligoclase.
Mugearite is a sodium-rich member of the alkaline magma series. In the TAS classification of volc ...
and very similar to terrestrial mugearite rocks.
On 17 October 2013, NASA reported, based on analysis of argon
Argon is a chemical element; it has symbol Ar and atomic number 18. It is in group 18 of the periodic table and is a noble gas. Argon is the third most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, at 0.934% (9340 ppmv). It is more than twice as abu ...
in the Martian atmosphere
The atmosphere of Mars is the layer of gases surrounding Mars. It is primarily composed of carbon dioxide (95%), molecular nitrogen (2.85%), and argon (2%). It also contains trace levels of water vapor, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and nob ...
, that certain meteorites
A meteorite is a rock that originated in outer space and has fallen to the surface of a planet or moon. When the original object enters the atmosphere, various factors such as friction, pressure, and chemical interactions with the atmospheri ...
found on Earth thought to be from Mars are confirmed to be from Mars.
On 13 November 2013, NASA announced the names of two features on Mars important to two active Mars exploration rovers
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission was a robotic space mission involving two Mars rovers, '' Spirit'' and '' Opportunity'', exploring the planet Mars. It began in 2003 with the launch of the two rovers to explore the Martian surface ...
in honor of planetary scientist
Planetary science (or more rarely, planetology) is the scientific study of planets (including Earth), celestial bodies (such as moons, asteroids, comets) and planetary systems (in particular those of the Solar System) and the processes of their ...
Bruce C. Murray
Bruce Churchill Murray (November 30, 1931 – August 29, 2013) was an American planetary scientist. He was a director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and co-founder of The Planetary Society.
Education and early life
Murray received ...
(1931-2013): "Murray Buttes", an entryway the ''Curiosity'' rover will traverse on its way to Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
and "Murray Ridge", an uplifted crater that the Opportunity rover
''Opportunity'', also known as MER-B (Mars Exploration Rover – B) or MER-1, and nicknamed Oppy, is a Robotics, robotic rover (space exploration), rover that was active on Mars from 2004 until 2018. ''Opportunity'' was operational on Mars for ...
is exploring.
On 25 November 2013, NASA reported that ''Curiosity'' has resumed full science operations, with no apparent loss of capability, after completing the diagnosis of an electrical problem first observed on 17 November. Apparently, an internal short in the rover's power source, the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator
The multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) is a type of radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) developed for NASA space missions such as the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), under the jurisdiction of the United States Depar ...
, caused an unusual and intermittent decrease in a voltage indicator on the rover.
On 27 November 2013, an overview (titled,The World of Mars
) of current and proposed Mars exploration by John Grotzinger, chief scientist of the ''Curiosity'' rover mission, was published in the
New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
.
On 9 December 2013, NASA reported that the planet Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
had a large freshwater lake
A lake is often a naturally occurring, relatively large and fixed body of water on or near the Earth's surface. It is localized in a basin or interconnected basins surrounded by dry land. Lakes lie completely on land and are separate from t ...
(which could have been a hospitable environment for microbial life
A microorganism, or microbe, is an organism of microscopic scale, microscopic size, which may exist in its unicellular organism, single-celled form or as a Colony (biology)#Microbial colonies, colony of cells. The possible existence of unseen ...
) based on evidence from the ''Curiosity'' rover studying Aeolis Palus
Aeolis Palus is a plain between the northern wall of Gale crater and the northern foothills of Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp) on Mars. It is located at .
The NASA Mars Science Laboratory mission landed the ''Curiosity'' rover on Aeolis Palus in Aug ...
near Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
in Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
.
On 9 December 2013, NASA researchers described, in a series of six articles in the journal ''Science
Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable hypotheses and predictions about the universe. Modern science is typically divided into twoor threemajor branches: the natural sciences, which stu ...
'', many new discoveries from the ''Curiosity'' rover. Possible organics were found that could not be explained by contamination.
Although the organic carbon was probably from Mars, it can all be explained by dust and meteorites that have landed on the planet.
Because much of the carbon was released at a relatively low temperature in ''Curiosity'' Sample Analysis at Mars
Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) is a suite of instruments on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity (rover), ''Curiosity'' rover. The SAM instrument suite analyzed Organic compound, organics and gases from both atmospheric and solid samples.
It was ...
(SAM) instrument package, it probably did not come from carbonates in the sample. The carbon could be from organisms, but this has not been proven. This organic-bearing material was obtained by drilling 5 centimeters deep in a site called ''Yellowknife Bay'' into a rock called "'' Sheepbed mudstone''". The samples were named '' John Klein'' and ''Cumberland
Cumberland ( ) is an area of North West England which was historically a county. The county was bordered by Northumberland to the north-east, County Durham to the east, Westmorland to the south-east, Lancashire to the south, and the Scottish ...
''. Microbes could be living on Mars by obtaining energy from chemical imbalances between minerals in a process called chemolithotrophy
Lithotrophs are a diverse group of organisms using an inorganic substrate (usually of mineral origin) to obtain reducing equivalents for use in biosynthesis (e.g., carbon dioxide fixation) or energy conservation (i.e., ATP production) via aerob ...
which means "eating rock."
However, in this process only a very tiny amount of carbon is involved — much less than was found at ''Yellowknife Bay''.
Using SAM's mass spectrometer
Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique that is used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions. The results are presented as a '' mass spectrum'', a plot of intensity as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio. Mass spectrometry is us ...
, scientists measured isotopes
Isotopes are distinct nuclear species (or ''nuclides'') of the same chemical element. They have the same atomic number (number of protons in their nuclei) and position in the periodic table (and hence belong to the same chemical element), but ...
of helium
Helium (from ) is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol He and atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic, inert gas, inert, monatomic gas and the first in the noble gas group in the periodic table. Its boiling point is ...
, neon
Neon is a chemical element; it has symbol Ne and atomic number 10. It is the second noble gas in the periodic table. Neon is a colorless, odorless, inert monatomic gas under standard conditions, with approximately two-thirds the density of ...
, and argon
Argon is a chemical element; it has symbol Ar and atomic number 18. It is in group 18 of the periodic table and is a noble gas. Argon is the third most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, at 0.934% (9340 ppmv). It is more than twice as abu ...
that cosmic rays
Cosmic rays or astroparticles are high-energy particles or clusters of particles (primarily represented by protons or atomic nuclei) that move through space at nearly the speed of light. They originate from the Sun, from outside of the Solar ...
produce as they go through rock. The fewer of these isotopes they find, the more recently the rock has been exposed near the surface. The 4-billion-year-old lakebed rock drilled by ''Curiosity'' was uncovered between 30 million and 110 million years ago by winds which sandblasted away 2 meters of overlying rock. Next, they hope to find a site tens of millions of years younger by drilling close to an overhanging outcrop.
The absorbed dose and dose equivalent from galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particle
Solar energetic particles (SEP), formerly known as solar cosmic rays, are high-energy, charged particles originating in the solar atmosphere and solar wind. They consist of protons, electrons and heavy ions with energies ranging from a few tens ...
s on the Martian surface for ~300 days of observations during the current solar maximum was measured. These measurements are necessary for human missions to the surface of Mars, to provide microbial survival times of any possible extant or past life, and to determine how long potential organic biosignature
A biosignature (sometimes called chemical fossil or molecular fossil) is any substance – such as an element, isotope, molecule, or phenomenon – that provides scientific evidence of past or present life on a planet. Measurable ...
s can be preserved. This study estimates that a 1-meter depth drill is necessary to access possible viable radioresistant
Radioresistance is the level of ionizing radiation that organisms are able to withstand.
Ionizing-radiation-resistant organisms (IRRO) were defined as organisms for which the dose of acute ionizing radiation (IR) required to achieve 90% reductio ...
microbe cells. The actual absorbed dose measured by the Radiation Assessment Detector
The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) is an instrument mounted on the Mars Science Laboratory ''Curiosity'' rover. It was the first of ten instruments to be turned on during the mission.
Purpose
The first role of RAD was to characterize the b ...
(RAD) is 76 mGy/yr at the surface. Based on these measurements, for a round-trip Mars surface mission with 180 days (each way) cruise, and 500 days on the Martian surface for this current solar cycle, an astronaut would be exposed to a total mission dose equivalent of ~1.01 sievert
The sievert (symbol: SvPlease note there are two non-SI units that use the same Sv abbreviation: the sverdrup and svedberg.) is a derived unit in the International System of Units (SI) intended to represent the stochastic health risk of ionizin ...
. Exposure to 1 sievert is associated with a 5 percent increase in risk for developing fatal cancer. NASA's current lifetime limit for increased risk for its astronauts operating in low-Earth orbit is 3 percent. Maximum shielding from galactic cosmic rays can be obtained with about 3 meters of Martian soil
Martian regolith is the fine blanket of unconsolidated, loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering the surface of Mars. The term ''Martian soil'' typically refers to the finer fraction of regolith. So far, no samples have been returned to ...
.
The samples examined were probably once mud that for millions to tens of millions of years could have hosted living organisms. This wet environment had neutral pH, low salinity
Salinity () is the saltiness or amount of salt (chemistry), salt dissolved in a body of water, called saline water (see also soil salinity). It is usually measured in g/L or g/kg (grams of salt per liter/kilogram of water; the latter is dimensio ...
, and variable redox
Redox ( , , reduction–oxidation or oxidation–reduction) is a type of chemical reaction in which the oxidation states of the reactants change. Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in the oxidation state, while reduction is t ...
states of both iron
Iron is a chemical element; it has symbol Fe () and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, forming much of Earth's o ...
and sulfur
Sulfur ( American spelling and the preferred IUPAC name) or sulphur ( Commonwealth spelling) is a chemical element; it has symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms ...
species.
These types of iron and sulfur could have been used by living organisms. C, H, O, S, N, and P were measured directly as key biogenic elements, and by inference, P is assumed to have been there as well. The two samples, '' John Klein'' and ''Cumberland
Cumberland ( ) is an area of North West England which was historically a county. The county was bordered by Northumberland to the north-east, County Durham to the east, Westmorland to the south-east, Lancashire to the south, and the Scottish ...
'', contain basaltic minerals, Ca-sulfates, Fe oxide/hydroxides, Fe-sulfides, amorphous material, and trioctahedral smectite
A smectite (; ; ) is a mineral mixture of various swelling sheet silicates (phyllosilicates), which have a three-layer 2:1 (TOT) structure and belong to the clay minerals. Smectites mainly consist of montmorillonite, but can often contain secon ...
s (a type of clay). Basaltic minerals in the mudstone
Mudstone, a type of mudrock, is a fine-grained sedimentary rock whose original constituents were clays or muds. Mudstone is distinguished from ''shale'' by its lack of fissility.Blatt, H., and R.J. Tracy, 1996, ''Petrology.'' New York, New York, ...
are similar to those in nearby aeolian deposits. However, the mudstone has far less Fe-forsterite
Forsterite (Mg2SiO4; commonly abbreviated as Fo; also known as white olivine) is the magnesium-rich Endmember, end-member of the olivine solid solution series. It is Isomorphism (crystallography), isomorphous with the iron-rich end-member, fayalit ...
plus magnetite
Magnetite is a mineral and one of the main iron ores, with the chemical formula . It is one of the iron oxide, oxides of iron, and is ferrimagnetism, ferrimagnetic; it is attracted to a magnet and can be magnetization, magnetized to become a ...
, so Fe-forsterite (type of olivine
The mineral olivine () is a magnesium iron Silicate minerals, silicate with the chemical formula . It is a type of Nesosilicates, nesosilicate or orthosilicate. The primary component of the Earth's upper mantle (Earth), upper mantle, it is a com ...
) was probably altered to form smectite (a type of clay) and magnetite
Magnetite is a mineral and one of the main iron ores, with the chemical formula . It is one of the iron oxide, oxides of iron, and is ferrimagnetism, ferrimagnetic; it is attracted to a magnet and can be magnetization, magnetized to become a ...
.
A Late Noachian
The Noachian is a system (stratigraphy), geologic system and early geologic timescale, time period on the planet Mars characterized by high rates of meteorite and asteroid Impact event, impacts and the possible presence of abundant surface water. ...
/Early Hesperian
The Hesperian is a system (stratigraphy), geologic system and geologic timescale, time period on the planet Mars characterized by widespread Volcanology of Mars, volcanic activity and catastrophic flooding that carved immense outflow channels acr ...
or younger age indicates that clay mineral formation on Mars extended beyond Noachian time; therefore, in this location neutral pH lasted longer than previously thought.
On 20 December 2013, NASA reported that ''Curiosity'' has successfully upgraded, for the third time since landing
Landing is the last part of a flight, where a flying animal, aircraft, or spacecraft returns to the ground. When the flying object returns to water, the process is called alighting, although it is commonly called "landing", "touchdown" or " spl ...
, its software programs and is now operating with version 11. The new software is expected to provide the rover with better robotic arm
A robotic arm is a type of mechanical arm, usually programmable, with similar functions to a human arm; the arm may be the sum total of the mechanism or may be part of a more complex robot. The links of such a manipulator are connected by join ...
and autonomous driving
Vehicular automation is using technology to assist or replace the operator of a vehicle such as a car, truck, aircraft, rocket, military vehicle, or boat. Assisted vehicles are ''semi-autonomous'', whereas vehicles that can travel without a ...
abilities. Due to wheel wear, a concern to drive more carefully over the rough terrain the rover is currently traveling on to Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
, was also reported.
Search for ancient life
On 24 January 2014, NASA reported that current studies by the ''Curiosity'' and ''Opportunity'' rovers will now be searching for evidence of ancient life, including abiosphere
The biosphere (), also called the ecosphere (), is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems. It can also be termed the zone of life on the Earth. The biosphere (which is technically a spherical shell) is virtually a closed system with regard to mat ...
based on autotroph
An autotroph is an organism that can convert Abiotic component, abiotic sources of energy into energy stored in organic compounds, which can be used by Heterotroph, other organisms. Autotrophs produce complex organic compounds (such as carbohy ...
ic, chemotroph
A chemotroph is an organism that obtains energy by the oxidation of electron donors in their environments. These molecules can be organic ( chemoorganotrophs) or inorganic ( chemolithotrophs). The chemotroph designation is in contrast to phot ...
ic and/or chemolithoautotrophic
A lithoautotroph is an organism that derives energy from reactions of reduced compounds of mineral (inorganic) origin. Two types of lithoautotrophs are distinguished by their energy source; photolithoautotrophs derive their energy from light, whil ...
microorganism
A microorganism, or microbe, is an organism of microscopic scale, microscopic size, which may exist in its unicellular organism, single-celled form or as a Colony (biology)#Microbial colonies, colony of cells. The possible existence of unseen ...
s, as well as ancient water, including fluvio-lacustrine environments (plain
In geography, a plain, commonly known as flatland, is a flat expanse of land that generally does not change much in elevation, and is primarily treeless. Plains occur as lowlands along valleys or at the base of mountains, as coastal plains, and ...
s related to ancient river
A river is a natural stream of fresh water that flows on land or inside Subterranean river, caves towards another body of water at a lower elevation, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. A river may run dry before reaching the end of ...
s or lake
A lake is often a naturally occurring, relatively large and fixed body of water on or near the Earth's surface. It is localized in a basin or interconnected basins surrounded by dry land. Lakes lie completely on land and are separate from ...
s) that may have been habitable
Habitability is the adequacy of an environment for human living. Where housing is concerned, there are generally local ordinances which define habitability. If a residence complies with those laws, it is said to be habitable. In extreme environ ...
.
The search for evidence of habitability
Habitability is the adequacy of an environment for human living. Where housing is concerned, there are generally local ordinances which define habitability. If a residence complies with those laws, it is said to be habitable. In extreme environ ...
, taphonomy
Taphonomy is the study of how organisms decay and become fossilized or preserved in the paleontological record. The term ''taphonomy'' (from Greek language, Greek , 'burial' and , 'law') was introduced to paleontology in 1940 by Soviet scientis ...
(related to fossils
A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved ...
), and organic carbon
Total organic carbon (TOC) is an analytical parameter representing the concentration of organic carbon in a sample. TOC determinations are made in a variety of application areas. For example, TOC may be used as a non-specific indicator of wa ...
on the planet Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
is now a primary NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...
objective.
Arrival at Mount Sharp
On 11 September 2014 (Sol 746), ''Curiosity'' reached the slopes ofAeolis Mons
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
(or Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
), the rover mission's long-term prime destination and where the rover is expected to learn more about the history of Mars. ''Curiosity'' had traveled an estimated linear distance of to the mountain slopes since leaving its "''start''" point in Yellowknife Bay on 4 July 2013.Detection of organics
On 16 December 2014, NASA reported the ''Curiosity'' rover detected a "tenfold spike", likely localized, in the amount ofmethane
Methane ( , ) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main constituent of natural gas. The abundance of methane on Earth makes ...
in the Martian atmosphere
The atmosphere of Mars is the layer of gases surrounding Mars. It is primarily composed of carbon dioxide (95%), molecular nitrogen (2.85%), and argon (2%). It also contains trace levels of water vapor, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and nob ...
. Sample measurements taken "a dozen times over 20 months" showed increases in late 2013 and early 2014, averaging "7 parts of methane per billion in the atmosphere." Before and after that, readings averaged around one-tenth that level. In addition, high levels of organic chemicals
Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-cont ...
, particularly chlorobenzene
Chlorobenzene (abbreviated PhCl) is an aryl chloride and the simplest of the chlorobenzenes, consisting of a benzene ring substituted with one chlorine atom. Its chemical formula is C6H5Cl. This colorless, flammable liquid is a common solvent a ...
, were detected in powder drilled from one of the rocks, named "Cumberland
Cumberland ( ) is an area of North West England which was historically a county. The county was bordered by Northumberland to the north-east, County Durham to the east, Westmorland to the south-east, Lancashire to the south, and the Scottish ...
", analyzed by the ''Curiosity'' rover.
Other 2014 events
On 6 February 2014, the ''Curiosity'' rover, in order to reduce wear on itswheels
A wheel is a rotating component (typically circular in shape) that is intended to turn on an axle bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the six simple machines. Wheels, in conjunction with axl ...
by avoiding rougher terrain, successfully crossed (image
An image or picture is a visual representation. An image can be Two-dimensional space, two-dimensional, such as a drawing, painting, or photograph, or Three-dimensional space, three-dimensional, such as a carving or sculpture. Images may be di ...
) the " Dingo Gap" 
sand dune
A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...
and is now expected to travel a smoother route to Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
.
On 19 May 2014, scientists announced that numerous microbes
A microorganism, or microbe, is an organism of microscopic size, which may exist in its single-celled form or as a colony of cells. The possible existence of unseen microbial life was suspected from antiquity, with an early attestation in ...
, like '' Tersicoccus phoenicis'', may be resistant to methods usually used in spacecraft assembly clean rooms. It's not currently known if such resistant microbes could have withstood space travel and are present on the ''Curiosity'' rover now on Mars.
On 25 May 2014, ''Curiosity'' discovered an iron meteorite
Iron meteorites, also called siderites or ferrous meteorites, are a type of meteorite that consist overwhelmingly of an iron–nickel alloy known as meteoric iron that usually consists of two mineral phases: kamacite and taenite. Most iron me ...
, and named it "Lebanon
Lebanon, officially the Republic of Lebanon, is a country in the Levant region of West Asia. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula, it is bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south ...
" (image
An image or picture is a visual representation. An image can be Two-dimensional space, two-dimensional, such as a drawing, painting, or photograph, or Three-dimensional space, three-dimensional, such as a carving or sculpture. Images may be di ...
).
On 3 June 2014, ''Curiosity'' observed the planet Mercury transiting the 
Sun
The Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System. It is a massive, nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma, heated to incandescence by nuclear fusion reactions in its core, radiating the energy from its surface mainly as visible light a ...
, marking the first time a planetary transit
In astronomy, a transit (or astronomical transit) is the passage of a celestial body directly between a larger body and the observer. As viewed from a particular vantage point, the transiting body appears to move across the face of the larger bo ...
has been observed from a celestial body besides Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to Planetary habitability, harbor life. This is enabled by Earth being an ocean world, the only one in the Solar System sustaining liquid surface water. Almost all ...
.
On 24 June 2014, ''Curiosity'' completed a Martian year
Though no standard exists, numerous calendars and other timekeeping approaches have been proposed for the planet Mars. The most commonly seen in the scientific literature denotes the time of year as the Ecliptic coordinate system, number of degre ...
—687 Earth days—after finding that Mars once had environmental conditions favorable for microbial life.
On 27 June 2014, ''Curiosity'' crossed the boundary line of its " 3-sigma safe-to-land ellipse" and is now in territory that may get even more interesting, especially in terms of Martian geology and landscape ( view from space).
On 12 July 2014, ''Curiosity'' imaged the first laser spark on Mars ( related image
video (01:07)
) On 6 August 2014, ''Curiosity'' celebrated its second anniversary since
landing
Landing is the last part of a flight, where a flying animal, aircraft, or spacecraft returns to the ground. When the flying object returns to water, the process is called alighting, although it is commonly called "landing", "touchdown" or " spl ...
on Mars in 2012.
On 11 September 2014, a panel of NASA scientists announcedvideo (01:25)
the arrival of ''Curiosity'' at
Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
and discussed future rover plans.
First extended mission (October 2014 - September 2016)
On 19 October 2014, the ''Curiosity'' rover viewed the flyby of Comet C/2013 A1.
On 8 December 2014, a panel of NASA scientists discussedarchive 62:03)
the latest observations of ''Curiosity'', including findings about how water may have helped shape the landscape of Mars and had a climate long ago that could have produced long-lasting lakes at many Martian locations. On 16 December 2014, NASA reported detecting an unusual increase, then decrease, in the amounts of
methane
Methane ( , ) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main constituent of natural gas. The abundance of methane on Earth makes ...
in the atmosphere
An atmosphere () is a layer of gases that envelop an astronomical object, held in place by the gravity of the object. A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. A stellar atmosph ...
of the planet Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
; in addition, organic chemical
Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a Carbon–hydrogen bond, carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. F ...
s were detected in powder drilled from a rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...
by the ''Curiosity'' rover. Also, based on deuterium
Deuterium (hydrogen-2, symbol H or D, also known as heavy hydrogen) is one of two stable isotopes of hydrogen; the other is protium, or hydrogen-1, H. The deuterium nucleus (deuteron) contains one proton and one neutron, whereas the far more c ...
to hydrogen
Hydrogen is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol H and atomic number 1. It is the lightest and abundance of the chemical elements, most abundant chemical element in the universe, constituting about 75% of all baryon, normal matter ...
ratio studies, much of the water
Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and Color of water, nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known liv ...
at Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
on Mars was found to have been lost during ancient times, before the lakebed in the crater was formed; afterwards, large amounts of water continued to be lost.
On 21 January 2015, NASA announced a collaborative effort with Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company, technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, the company became influential in the History of personal computers#The ear ...
that developed a software project called OnSight
Glossary of climbing terms relates to rock climbing (including aid climbing, lead climbing, bouldering, and competition climbing), mountaineering, and to ice climbing. ebook:
The terms used can vary between different English-speaking countries; ...
which allows scientists to perform virtual work on Mars based on data from the ''Curiosity ''rover.
On 6 March 2015, NASA reported performing tests on the rover to help uncover the reason for intermittent problems with the robotic arm used for rock drilling and analysis. Results of preliminary tests suggest the intermittent short-circuit problem may be related to the percussion mechanism of the drill. Further tests are planned to verify and adjust to the problem.
On 24 March 2015, NASA reported the first detection of 
nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a Nonmetal (chemistry), nonmetal and the lightest member of pnictogen, group 15 of the periodic table, often called the Pnictogen, pnictogens. ...
released after heating surface sediments on the planet Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
. The nitrogen, in the form of nitric oxide
Nitric oxide (nitrogen oxide, nitrogen monooxide, or nitrogen monoxide) is a colorless gas with the formula . It is one of the principal oxides of nitrogen. Nitric oxide is a free radical: it has an unpaired electron, which is sometimes den ...
, was detected by the SAM instrument on the ''Curiosity'' rover and can be used by living organisms
An organism is any living thing that functions as an individual. Such a definition raises more problems than it solves, not least because the concept of an individual is also difficult. Many criteria, few of them widely accepted, have been pro ...
. The discovery supports the notion that ancient Mars may have been habitable for life.
On 27 March 2015, NASA reported that the Bradbury Landing
Bradbury Landing is the August 6, 2012, landing site within Gale (crater), Gale crater on planet Mars of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, ''Curiosity'' rover. On August 22, 2012, on what would have been his 92nd birthday, NAS ...
, the mission's landing site, was fading from view in the two-and-a-half years since landing in 2012.
On 4 April 2015, NASA reported studies, based on measurements by the Sample Analysis at Mars
Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) is a suite of instruments on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity (rover), ''Curiosity'' rover. The SAM instrument suite analyzed Organic compound, organics and gases from both atmospheric and solid samples.
It was ...
(SAM) instrument on the ''Curiosity'' rover, of the Martian atmosphere
The atmosphere of Mars is the layer of gases surrounding Mars. It is primarily composed of carbon dioxide (95%), molecular nitrogen (2.85%), and argon (2%). It also contains trace levels of water vapor, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and nob ...
using xenon and argon
Argon is a chemical element; it has symbol Ar and atomic number 18. It is in group 18 of the periodic table and is a noble gas. Argon is the third most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, at 0.934% (9340 ppmv). It is more than twice as abu ...
isotopes. Results provided support for a "vigorous" loss of atmosphere early in the history of Mars and were consistent with an Climatology, atmospheric signature found in bits of atmosphere captured in some Martian meteorites found on Earth.On 19 August 2015, NASA scientists reported that the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) instrument on the ''Curiosity'' rover detected an unusual hydrogen-rich area, at "Marias Pass," on Mars. The hydrogen found seemed related to water or hydroxyl ions in rocks within three feet beneath the rover, according to the scientists.
On 5 October 2015, possible recurrent slope lineae, wet brine flows, were reported on Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
near Curiosity (rover), ''Curiosity''. In addition, on 5 October 2015, NASA reported an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 heat-resistant bacterial spores were on ''Curiosity'' at launch, as much as 1,000 times more than that may not have been counted.
On 8 October 2015, NASA confirmed that lakes and streams existed in Gale (crater), Gale crater 3.3 - 3.8 billion years ago delivering sediments to build up the lower layers of Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
.
On 17 December 2015, NASA reported that as ''Curiosity'' climbed higher up Mount Sharp, the composition of rocks were changing substantially. For example, rocks found higher up the mountain contained much higher levels of silica than the Basalt, basaltic rocks found earlier. After further analysis, the silica-rich rocks on Mars were found to be Tridymite#Mars, tridymite, a mineral that is not commonly found on Earth. Opal#Noncrystalline opal, Opal-A, another form of silica, was also found on Mars.
Second extended mission (October 2016 - September 2019)
The second extended mission began on 1 October 2016. The rover explored a ridge known as the Murray Formation for most of the mission.
As of 3 October 2016, NASA summarized the findings of the mission, thus far, as follows: "The Curiosity mission has already achieved its main goal of determining whether the landing region ever offered environmental conditions that would have been favorable for microbial life, if Mars has ever hosted life. The mission found evidence of ancient rivers and lakes, with a chemical energy source and all of the chemical ingredients necessary for life as we know it." Plans for the next two years, up to September 2018, include further explorations of the uphill slopes of Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
, including a ridge rich in the mineral hematite and a region of clay-rich bedrock.
On 13 December 2016, NASA reported further evidence supporting habitability on Mars as the ''Curiosity'' rover climbed higher, studying younger layers, on Mount Sharp. Also reported, the very soluble element boron was detected for the first time on Mars. Since landing on Mars in August 2012, ''Curiosity'' has driven and climbed in elevation.
On 17 January 2017, NASA released an image of a rock slab, named "Old Soaker", which may contain mud cracks. Also, somewhat later, it released an animation of Martian soil, sand moving in a nearby area.
On 6 February 2017, NASA reported that rock samples analyzed by the rover have not revealed any significant carbonate. This poses a puzzle to researchers: the same rocks that indicate a lake existed also indicate there was very little carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalent bond, covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in a gas state at room temperature and at norma ...
in the air to help keep the lake unfrozen.
On 27 February 2017, NASA presented the following mission overview: "During the first year after Curiosity's 2012 landing in Gale Crater, the mission fulfilled its main goal by finding that the region once offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life. The conditions in long-lived ancient freshwater Martian lake environments included all of the key chemical elements needed for life as we know it, plus a chemical source of energy that is used by many microbes on Earth. The extended mission is investigating how and when the habitable ancient conditions evolved into conditions drier and less favorable for life."
From 3 to 7 May 2017, ''Curiosity'' used ChemCam to study what turned out to be manganese oxide deposits on the Sutton Island and Blunts Point layers of the Murray Formation. According to a 2024 paper, the deposits suggest Earth-level amounts of oxygen were present in the very early Martian atmosphere, hinting at microbial life.
On 1 June 2017, NASA reported that the ''Curiosity'' rover provided evidence of an ancient lake in Gale (crater), Gale crater on Mars that could have been favorable for microorganism, microbial life; the ancient lake was Lake stratification, stratified, with shallows rich in Oxidizing agent, oxidants and depths poor in oxidants, particularly silica; the ancient lake provided many different types of microbe-friendly environments at the same time. NASA further reported that the ''Curiosity'' rover will continue to explore higher and younger layers of Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
in order to determine how the lake environment in ancient times on Mars became the drier environment in more modern times.
Between 22 July – 1 August 2017, few commands were sent from the Earth to Mars since Mars was in Conjunction (astronomy), conjunction with the sun.
On 5 August 2017, NASA celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Curiosity (rover), ''Curiosity'' rover mission landing, and related exploratory accomplishments, on the planet Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
. (Videos''Curiosity'' First Five Years (02:07)
On 5 September 2017, scientists reported that the ''Curiosity'' rover detected boron, an essential ingredient for life on
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to Planetary habitability, harbor life. This is enabled by Earth being an ocean world, the only one in the Solar System sustaining liquid surface water. Almost all ...
, on the planet Mars. Such a finding, along with previous discoveries that water may have been present on ancient Mars, further supports the possible early habitability of Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
on Mars.
On 13 September 2017, NASA reported that the ''Curiosity'' rover climbed an iron-oxide-bearing ridge called ''Vera Rubin Ridge'' (or ''Hematite Ridge'') and will now start studying the numerous bright veins embedded in the various layers of the ridge, in order to provide more details about the history and habitability of ancient Mars.
On 30 September 2017, NASA reported Radiation, radiation levels on the surface of the planet Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
were temporarily Orders of magnitude (radiation), doubled, and were associated with an aurora 25-times brighter than any observed earlier, due to a massive, and unexpected, Coronal mass ejection, solar storm in the middle of the month.
On 17 October 2017, NASA announced the testing of its systems on ''Curiosity'' in an attempt to better resume drilling. The drilling system had stopped working reliably in December 2016.
On 2 January 2018, ''Curiosity'' captured images of rock shapes that may require further study in order to help better determine whether the shapes are biological or geological.
On 22 March 2018, ''Curiosity'' had spent 2000 Timekeeping on Mars#Sols, sols (2054 days) on Mars, and prepares to study a region of clay-bearing rocks.
In June 2018, a Opportunity mission timeline#Dust storm, local dust storm occurred near the ''Opportunity'' rover which may affect ''Curiosity''. The first signs of the storm, from ''Opportunity'', were discovered on 1 June 2018, in :File:PIA22329-Mars-DustStorm-20180606.jpg, photographs by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter#MARCI (camera), Mars Color Imager (MARCI) camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). More weather reports from the MRO and the MARCI team indicated a prolonged storm. Although this was, at that time, still far away from the rover, it influenced the atmospheric permeability (opacity) at the location. Within days, the storm had spread. As of 12 June 2018, the storm spanned an area of - about the area of North America and Russia combined. Although such dust storms are not surprising, they rarely occur. They can arise within a short time and then persist for weeks to months. During the southern season of summer, the sunlight heats dust particles and brings them higher into the atmosphere. This creates wind, which in turn stirs up more dust. This results in a feedback loop that scientists are still trying to understand. NASA reported on 20 June 2018, that the dust storm had grown to completely cover the entire planet.
On 4 June 2018, NASA announced that ''Curiosity'' ability to drill has been sufficiently restored by engineers. The rover had experienced drill mechanical problems since December 2016.
On 7 June 2018, NASA announced a cyclical seasonal variation in atmospheric methane
Methane ( , ) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main constituent of natural gas. The abundance of methane on Earth makes ...
, as well as the presence of kerogen and other complex organic compounds. The organic compounds were from mudstone
Mudstone, a type of mudrock, is a fine-grained sedimentary rock whose original constituents were clays or muds. Mudstone is distinguished from ''shale'' by its lack of fissility.Blatt, H., and R.J. Tracy, 1996, ''Petrology.'' New York, New York, ...
rocks aged approximately 3.5 billion years old, sampled from two distinct sites in a dry lake in the Pahrump Hills of the Gale (crater), Gale crater. The rock samples, when Pyrolysis, pyrolyzed via the ''Curiosity''s Sample Analysis at Mars
Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) is a suite of instruments on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity (rover), ''Curiosity'' rover. The SAM instrument suite analyzed Organic compound, organics and gases from both atmospheric and solid samples.
It was ...
instrument, released an array of organic molecules; these include sulfur-containing thiophenes, aromatic compounds such as benzene and toluene, and aliphatic compounds such as propane and butene. The concentration of organic compounds are 100-fold higher than earlier measurements. The authors speculate that the presence of sulfur may have helped preserve them. The products resemble those obtained from the breakdown of kerogen, a precursor to oil and natural gas on Earth. NASA stated that these findings are not evidence that life existed on the planet, but that the organic compounds needed to sustain microscopic life were present, and that there may be deeper sources of organic compounds on the planet.
Since 15 September 2018, a glitch in ''Curiosity''Gale Crater
Gale is a crater, and probable dry lake, at in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle on Mars. It is in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5–3.8 billion years old. The crater was named after Walter Frederick Gale, an amateur a ...
by the ''Curiosity'' rover, that there was plenty of water
Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and Color of water, nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known liv ...
on early Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
.
On 26 November 2018, ''Curiosity'' viewed a shiny object (named, "Little Colonsay") on Mars. Although possibly a meteorite, further studies are planned to better understand its nature.
On 1 February 2019, NASA scientists reported that the Curiosity (rover), Mars ''Curiosity'' rover determined, for the first time, the density of Mount Sharp in Gale (crater), Gale crater, thereby establishing a clearer understanding of how the mountain was formed.
On 4 April 2019, NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...
released images of solar eclipses by the Moons of Mars, two moons of the planet Mars, Phobos (moon), Phobos (:File:PIA23133-MarsCuriosityRover-PhobosEclipse-20190326.gif, animation1) and Deimos (moon), Deimos (:File:PIA23134-MarsCuriosityRover-DeimosEclipse-20190317.gif, animation2), as viewed by the ''Curiosity'' rover on the planet Mars in March 2019.
On 11 April 2019, NASA announced that the ''Curiosity'' rover on the planet Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
drilled into, and closely studied, a "Clay, clay-bearing unit" which, according to the rover Project Manager, is a "major milestone" in ''Curiosity'' journey up Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
.
During June 2019, while still studying the clay-bearing unit, ''Curiosity'' detected the highest levels of Methane on Mars, methane gas, 21 parts per billion, compared to the typical 1 part per billion the rover detects as normal background readings. The levels of methane dropped quickly over a few days, leading NASA to call this event one of several methane plumes that they have observed before but without any observable pattern. The rover lacked the necessary instrumentation to determine if the methane was biological or inorganic in nature.
Third extended mission (October 2019 - September 2022)
The third extended mission began on 1 October 2019 - the rover's 2544th sol on Mars.
In October 2019, evidence in the form of magnesium sulfate deposits left behind in ways that suggested evaporation, uncovered by the ''Curiosity'' rover on Mount Sharp, was reported of a wide ancient basin in Gale crater that once may have contained a salty lake.
In January 2020, a report was presented that compared ''Curiosity'' at the time of its landing on Mars in 2012, with the rover over seven years later in 2020.
In February 2020, scientists reported the detection of thiophene Organic compound, organic molecules by the ''Curiosity'' rover on the planet Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is also known as the "Red Planet", because of its orange-red appearance. Mars is a desert-like rocky planet with a tenuous carbon dioxide () atmosphere. At the average surface level the atmosph ...
. It is not currently known if the detected thiophenes — usually associated on Earth with kerogen, coal and Petroleum, crude oil — are the result of biological or non-biological processes.
In April 2020, scientists began operating the rover remotely from their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 29 August 2020, NASA released several videos taken by the ''Curiosity'' rover, including those involving dust devils, as well as very high resolution images of the related local martian terrain.
In June 2021, scientists determined that the methane concentration around ''Curiosity'' varied according to the time of sol, with methane present only at night. This explains the difference in methane levels detected by ''Curiosity'' and the Trace Gas Orbiter (an open question since 2016), although it does not explain what is creating the methane or why the methane seems to be more short-lived than current models predict.
On 3 July 2021, the ''Curiosity'' rover viewed the ":File:PIA24643-MarsCuriosityRover-RafaelNavarroMountain-20210703.jpg, Rafael Navarro Mountain" area.
On 1 November 2021, astronomers reported detecting, in a "first-of-its-kind" process based on Sample Analysis at Mars, SAM instruments, organic molecules, including benzoic acid, ammonia and other related unknown compounds, on the planet Mars by the Curiosity (rover), ''Curiosity'' rover.
On 17 January 2022, scientists reported finding an unusual signal of carbon isotopes on Mars by the ''Curiosity'' rover which may (or may not) be associated with ancient Martian life and suggesting, according to the scientists, that microbes residing underground may have emitted the "enriched carbon as methane gas". However, abiotic sources of the unusual carbon signal have not been completely ruled out.
In April 2022, Mars Science Laboratory was renewed for a fourth extended mission, which will include the exploration of the sulfate-bearing unit.Fourth extended mission (October 2022 - Present)
The rover began its fourth extended mission on 1 October 2022, which will last until October 2025.
In January 2023, the Curiosity Rover viewed and studied the "Cacao" meteorite.
In August 2023, ''Curiosity'' explored the upper Gediz Vallis Ridge. A panoramic view of the ridge is :File:PIA26019-MarsCuriosityRover-GedizVallisRidge-20230814.jpg, here, and a 3D rendered view is :File:PIA26020-MarsCuriosityRover-GedizVallisRidge-3dRendered-Aug2023.jpg, here.
In February 2024, Curiosity completed its 40th successful drilling, of a rock named "Mineral King" in Gediz Vallis.
In July 2024, it was announced that, in an analysis of a rock that had been crushed by the rover (one in a series of deposits), elemental pure sulfur had been found on Mars for the first time.
In October 2024, the science team behind the SAM experiment onboard the rover announced the results of three years of sampling, which suggested that based on high carbon-13 and oxygen-18 levels in the regolith, the early Martian atmosphere was unlikely to be stable enough to support surface water hospitable to life, with rapid wetting-drying cycles and very high-salinity cryogenic brines providing an explanation.
In March 2025 it was published that ''Curiosity'' discovered long chain Alkane, alkanes with up to 12 consecutive carbon atoms, in mudstone
Mudstone, a type of mudrock, is a fine-grained sedimentary rock whose original constituents were clays or muds. Mudstone is distinguished from ''shale'' by its lack of fissility.Blatt, H., and R.J. Tracy, 1996, ''Petrology.'' New York, New York, ...
in Gale crater. The origin of these molecules is unknown. They could be derived from either abiotic or biological sources.
In the spring of 2025, NASA announced that ''Curiosity'' had found carbonates in the form of crystalline siderite (FeCO3). One rock contained over 10 % of the mineral. These were expected on Mars due to the carbon dioxide atmosphere. Not many carbonated were detected from orbit because they may be obscured by dust. The rocks also were composed of plagioclase with the elements sodium (Na)–, Ca-, and aluminum (Al)–, as well as Ca- and Mg-bearing silicate mineral pyroxene. Other minerals found were calcium sulfates, magnesium sulfates, different amounts of iron oxyhydroxides, and an unidentified X-ray amorphous material. Rover’s Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument uses X-ray diffraction to determine sample mineralogy. The names of the rock formations and drill sites are CA, Canaima; TC, Tapo Caparo; UB, Ubajara; and SQ, Sequoia.
Current status
Weather
Current Weather Report
on Mars by the ''Curiosity'' rover
Current Weather Report
on Mars by the ''InSight'' lander
Current Weather Report
on Mars by the Perseverance (rover), ''Perseverance'' rover
Location and travel statistics
This up-to-date NASA link shows ''Curiosity'' travels and present location
As of , , ''Curiosity'' has been on the planet Mars for Martian day, sols ( day, total days) since landing on 6 August 2012. Since 11 September 2014, ''Curiosity'' has beeexploring
the slopes of
Mount Sharp
Mount Sharp, officially Aeolis Mons (), is a mountain on Mars. It forms the central peak within Gale crater and is located around , rising high from the valley floor. Its ID in the United States Geological Survey's Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenc ...
, where more information about the history of Mars is expected to be found. As of 26 January 2021, the rover has traveled over and climbed over in elevation to, and around, the mountain base since arriving at Bradbury Landing
Bradbury Landing is the August 6, 2012, landing site within Gale (crater), Gale crater on planet Mars of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover, ''Curiosity'' rover. On August 22, 2012, on what would have been his 92nd birthday, NAS ...
in August 2012.Equipment status
Since early 2015, the percussive mechanism in the drill that chisels into rock has had an intermittent electrical short circuit. In December 2016, the motor inside the drill caused a malfunction that prevented the rover from moving its robotic arm and driving to another location. The fault is in the drill feed motor - internal debris is suspected. The fault was determined to be limited to the drill mechanism and the rover started moving again on 9 December. The robotic arm is functional, and the ''Curiosity'' team performed diagnostics on the drill mechanism throughout 2017. On 4 June 2018, NASA announced that ''Curiosity'' ability to drill has been sufficiently restored by changing the drilling methods. Since 15 September 2018, a glitch in ''Curiosity''Self-Portraits
See also
* Aeolis quadrangle * Astrobiology * Composition of Mars * ExoMars, ExoMars programme * Exploration of Mars * Geography of Mars * Geology of Mars * InSight, ''InSight'' lander * Life on Mars * List of missions to Mars * List of rocks on Mars * Mars Exploration Rover * ''Mars Express'' orbiter * 2001 Mars Odyssey, ''Mars Odyssey Orbiter'' * Mars Orbiter Mission * Mars Pathfinder, ''Mars Pathfinder'' (''Sojourner'' rover) * Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter * Mars 2020 rover mission * MAVEN, ''MAVEN'' orbiter * Moons of Mars * Phoenix (spacecraft), ''Phoenix'' lander * Robotic spacecraft * Scientific information from the Mars Exploration Rover mission * Space exploration * Timeline of Mars 2020 * U.S. Space Exploration History on U.S. Stamps * Viking program * Water on MarsReferences
External links
''Curiosity'' Rover Official Page.
* Atmosphere of Mars, Mars Weather
''Perseverance''
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* [https://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/03/4-billion-pixel-mars-panorama/ Panoramic View of Gale Crater on Mars (4 billion pixels)] (March 2013).
Video (04:32) - ''Evidence for 'Vigorously' Flowing Water on Ancient Mars''
(September 2012).
Video (02:52) - ''Curiosity'' view from Mount Sharp
(
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...
; August 2021)
STScI Webcast Catalog and Archive
- (Robert Hazen;
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...
; April 2014).
Video (86:49) - ''Search for Life in the Universe''
- (
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...
; July 2014).
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