TheMars Science Laboratory and its rover,Curiosity, were launched fromEarth on 26 November 2011. As of October 20, 2025,Curiosity has been inGale Crater on theplanet Mars for 4694sols (4823total days;13 years, 75 days) since landing on 6 August 2012.(SeeCurrent status.)
In April 2004, the United StatesNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) called for scientific experiments and instruments proposals for theMars Science Laboratory and rover mission.[2] Launch was proposed for September 2009.[3][4] By 14 December 2004, eight proposals were selected, including instruments from Russia and Spain.[2][4]
Testing of components also began in late 2004, includingAerojet'smonopropellant engine with the ability to throttle from 15 to 100 percent thrust with a fixed propellant inlet pressure.[2] By November 2008 most hardware and software development was complete, and testing continued.[5] At this point, cost overruns were approximately $400 million.[6] In December 2008, lift-off was delayed to November 2011 due to insufficient time for testing and integration.[7][8][9]
Between 23–29 March 2009, the general public ranked nine finalist rover names (Adventure, Amelia, Journey, Perception, Pursuit, Sunrise, Vision, Wonder, andCuriosity)[10] through a public poll on the NASA website.[11] On 27 May 2009, the winning name was announced to beCuriosity. The name had been submitted in an essay contest by Clara Ma, a then sixth-grader from Kansas.[11]
At the first MSL Landing Site workshop, 33 potential landing sites were identified.[12] By the second workshop in late 2007, the list had grown to include almost 50 sites,[13] and by the end of the workshop, the list was reduced to six;[14][15][16] in November 2008, project leaders at a third workshop reduced the list to these four landing sites:[17][18][19]
| Name | Location | Elevation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eberswalde Crater | 23°52′S326°44′E / 23.86°S 326.73°E /-23.86; 326.73 | −1,450 m (−4,760 ft) | Ancient river delta.[20] |
| Holden Crater | 26°22′S325°06′E / 26.37°S 325.10°E /-26.37; 325.10 | −1,940 m (−6,360 ft) | Dry lake bed.[21] |
| Gale Crater | 4°29′S137°25′E / 4.49°S 137.42°E /-4.49; 137.42 | −4,451 m (−14,603 ft) | Features 5 km (3.1 mi) tall mountain of layered material near center.[21][22] selected.[23] |
| Mawrth Vallis | 24°01′N341°02′E / 24.01°N 341.03°E /24.01; 341.03 | −2,246 m (−7,369 ft) | Channel carved by catastrophic floods.[24] |
A fourth landing site workshop was held in late September 2010,[25] and the fifth and final workshop 16–18 May 2011.[26] On 22 July 2011, it was announced thatGale Crater had been selected as the landing site of the Mars Science Laboratory mission.
MSL was launched fromCape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on 26 November 2011, at 10:02 EST (15:02UTC) aboard anAtlas V 541 provided byUnited Launch Alliance.[28][29] The first and second rocket stages, along with the rocket motors, were stacked on 9 October 2011, near the launch pad.[30] The fairing containing the spacecraft was transported to the launch pad on 3 November 2011.[31]
On 13 December 2011, the rover began monitoringspace radiation to aid in planning for future crewed missions to Mars.[32]
The interplanetary journey to Mars took more than eight months,[33] 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.[34][35]
Curiosity landed in theGale Crater at 05:17UTC on 6 August 2012.[38][39][40][41] Upon reaching Mars, an automated precision landing sequence took over the entire landing events.[42] 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.[43][44] Landing was confirmed simultaneously by 3 monitoring Mars orbiters.Curiosity landed on target and only 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from its center.[45] The coordinates of the landing site (named "Bradbury Landing") are:4°35′22″S137°26′30″E / 4.5895°S 137.4417°E /-4.5895; 137.4417.[46][47]
Some low resolutionHazcam images were beamed to Earth by relay orbiters confirming the rover's wheels were deployed correctly and on the ground.[41][48] Three hours later, the rover begins to beam detailed data on its systems' status as well as on its entry, descent and landing experience.[48] Aerial 3-D images of the landing site are available and include:theCuriosity rover andrelated Parachute (HiRISE, 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;[49] the switchover was completed by 15 August.[50]
On 15 August 2012, the rover began several days of instrument checks and mobility tests.[51][52] The first laser testing of theChemCam byCuriosity on Mars was performed on a rock,N165 ("Coronation" rock), nearBradbury Landing on 19 August 2012.[53][54][55]
The science and operations teams have identified at least six possible routes to the base ofMount Sharp, and estimate about a year studying the rocks and soil of the crater floor whileCuriosity slowly makes its way to the base of the mountain.[51][56] The ChemCam team expects to take approximately one dozen compositional measurements of rocks per day.[57]
Having completed its mobility tests, the rover's first drive began on 29 August 2012, to a place calledGlenelg about 400 m (1,300 ft) to the east.[58] 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 whichCuriosity will stay at Glenelg for a month.[59]
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 afterCuriosity landed in August.[60] TheJake rock measures about 25 cm (9.8 in) tall and 40 cm (16 in) wide.[61] It is anigneous rock and may be amugearite, a sodium richoligoclase-bearing basaltictrachyandesite.[62] Afterwards, on 30 September 2012, a finely-grained rock, named "Bathurst Inlet", was examined byCuriosity'sMars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) andAlpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS). The rock was named afterBathurst Inlet, a deep inlet located along thenorthern coast of the Canadian mainland. Also, asand patch, named "Rocknest", is a test target for the first use of the scoop on the arm of theCuriosity rover.[63]
On 27 September 2012,NASA scientists announced that theCuriosity rover found evidence for an ancientstreambed suggesting a "vigorous flow" ofwater on Mars.[64][65][66]
On 7 October 2012, a mysterious "bright object" (image), discovered in the sand atRocknest, 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".[67][68][69] 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".[67][70][71]
On 17 October 2012, atRocknest, the firstX-ray diffraction analysis ofMartian soil was performed. The results revealed the presence of several minerals, includingfeldspar,pyroxenes andolivine, and suggested that the Martian soil in the sample was similar to the weathered basaltic soils ofHawaiian volcanoes. The sample used is composed ofdust distributed fromglobal dust storms and local fine sand. So far, the materialsCuriosity has analyzed are consistent with the initial ideas of deposits in Gale Crater recording a transition through time from a wet to dry environment.[72]On 22 November 2012, theCuriosity rover analyzed a rock named "Rocknest 3" with theAPXS and then resumed traveling toward "Point Lake" overlook on its way toGlenelg Intrigue.[73]
On 3 December 2012, NASA reported thatCuriosity performed its first extensivesoil analysis, revealing the presence ofwater molecules,sulfur andchlorine in theMartian soil.[74][75] The presence ofperchlorates in the sample seems highly likely. The presence ofsulfate andsulfide is also likely becausesulfur dioxide andhydrogen sulfide were detected. Small amounts ofchloromethane,dichloromethane andtrichloromethane were detected. The source of the carbon in these molecules is unclear. Possible sources include contamination of the instrument, organics in the sample and inorganiccarbonates.[74][75]
In February 2013, the rover used its drill for the first time.[76]
In March 2013, NASA reportedCuriosity found evidence thatgeochemical conditions inGale Crater were once suitable formicrobial life after analyzing the first drilled sample ofMartian rock,"John Klein" rock atYellowknife Bay inGale Crater. The rover detectedwater,carbon dioxide,oxygen,sulfur dioxide andhydrogen sulfide.[77][78][79]Chloromethane anddichloromethane were also detected. Related tests found results consistent with the presence ofsmectite clay minerals.[77][78][79][80][81] In addition, sandstone beds associated with theGillespie Lake Member ofYellowknife Bay seem similar tomicrobially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) found on Earth, according to one study.[82]
On 8 April 2013, NASA reported that much of theatmosphere of Mars has beenlost based onargon isotope ratios studies.[83][84]
On 19 July 2013, NASA scientists published the results of a new analysis of theatmosphere of Mars, reporting a lack ofmethane around thelanding site of theCuriosity 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 toargon andcarbon.[85][86][87]
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.[88][89]
On 18 March 2013, NASA reported evidence ofmineral hydration, likely hydratedcalcium sulfate, in severalrock samples including the broken fragments of"Tintina" rock and"Sutton Inlier" rock as well as inveins andnodules in other rocks like"Knorr" rock and"Wernicke" rock.[90][91][92] Analysis using the rover'sDAN instrument provided evidence of subsurface water, amounting to as much as 4% water content, down to a depth of 60 cm (2.0 ft), in the rover's traverse from theBradbury Landing site to theYellowknife Bay area in theGlenelg terrain.[90]
Between 4 April – 1 May 2013,Curiosity operated autonomously due to a Martiansolar conjunction with Earth. WhileCuriosity transmitted a beep to Earth each day and theOdysseyspacecraft 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.[83][93]
On 5 June 2013, NASA announced thatCuriosity will soon begin a 8 km (5.0 mi) journey from theGlenelg area to the base ofMount Sharp. The trip is expected to take nine months to a year with stops along the way to study the local terrain.[94][95][96]
On 16 July 2013, theCuriosity rover reached a milestone in its journey acrossMars, having traveled 1 km (0.62 mi), since its landing in 2012;[97] on 1 August 2013, the rover traveled over one mile: 1.686 km (1.048 mi).[98]
On 6 August 2013, NASA celebratedCuriosity's first year onMars (6 August 2012 to 5 August 2013) by programming the rover to perform the "Happy Birthday" song to itself.[99][100] NASA also releasedseveral videos (video-1,video-2) summarizing the rover's accomplishments over the year.[101][102] 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'slaser fired more than 75,000 times at 2,000 targets.[103]
On 27 August 2013,Curiosity usedautonomous navigation (or"autonav"- the ability of the rover to decide for itself how to drive safely) over unknown Martian ground for the first time.[104]
On 19 September 2013, NASA scientists, on the basis of further measurements byCuriosity, reported no detection ofatmospheric methane with a measured value of0.18±0.67 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.[105][106][107]
On 26 September 2013, NASA scientists reported theMarsCuriosity rover detected "abundant, easily accessible"water (1.5 to 3 weight percent) insoil samples at theRocknest region ofAeolis Palus inGale Crater.[108][109][110][111][112][113] In addition, NASA reported that theCuriosity rover found two principal soil types: a fine-grainedmafic type and a locally derived, coarse-grainedfelsic type.[110][112][114] The mafic type, similar to otherMartian soils andMartian dust, was associated with hydration of the amorphous phases of the soil.[114] Also,perchlorates, the presence of which may make detection of life-relatedorganic molecules difficult, were found at theCuriosity rover landing site (and earlier at the more polar site of thePhoenix lander) suggesting a "global distribution of these salts".[113] NASA also reported thatJake M rock, a rock encountered byCuriosity on the way toGlenelg, was amugearite and very similar to terrestrial mugearite rocks.[115]
On 17 October 2013, NASA reported, based on analysis ofargon in theMartian atmosphere, that certainmeteorites found on Earth thought to be from Mars are confirmed to be from Mars.[116]
On 13 November 2013, NASA announced the names of two features on Mars important to two activeMars exploration rovers in honor ofplanetary scientistBruce C. Murray (1931-2013): "Murray Buttes", an entryway theCuriosity rover will traverse on its way toMount Sharp and "Murray Ridge", an uplifted crater that theOpportunity rover is exploring.[117]
On 25 November 2013, NASA reported thatCuriosity 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, theMulti-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, caused an unusual and intermittent decrease in a voltage indicator on the rover.[118][119]
On 27 November 2013, an overview (titled, "The World of Mars") of current and proposed Mars exploration byJohn Grotzinger,chief scientist of theCuriosity rover mission, was published in theNew York Times.[120]
On 9 December 2013, NASA reported that the planetMars had a largefreshwater lake (which could have been a hospitable environment formicrobial life) based on evidence from theCuriosity rover studyingAeolis Palus nearMount Sharp inGale Crater.[121][122]
On 9 December 2013, NASA researchers described, in a series of six articles in the journalScience, many new discoveries from theCuriosity rover. Possible organics were found that could not be explained by contamination.[123][124] Although the organic carbon was probably from Mars, it can all be explained by dust and meteorites that have landed on the planet.[125][126][127] Because much of the carbon was released at a relatively low temperature inCuriosity'sSample Analysis at Mars (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 calledYellowknife Bay into a rock called "Sheepbed mudstone". The samples were namedJohn Klein andCumberland. Microbes could be living on Mars by obtaining energy from chemical imbalances between minerals in a process calledchemolithotrophy which means "eating rock."[128] However, in this process only a very tiny amount of carbon is involved — much less than was found atYellowknife Bay.[129][130]
Using SAM'smass spectrometer, scientists measuredisotopes ofhelium,neon, andargon thatcosmic rays 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 byCuriosity 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.[131]
The absorbed dose and dose equivalent from galactic cosmic rays andsolar energetic particles 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 organicbiosignatures can be preserved. This study estimates that a 1-meter depth drill is necessary to access possible viableradioresistant microbe cells. The actual absorbed dose measured by theRadiation Assessment Detector (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 ~1.01sievert. 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.[132] Maximum shielding from galactic cosmic rays can be obtained with about 3 meters ofMartian soil.[133]
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 neutralpH, lowsalinity, and variableredox states of bothiron andsulfur species.[125][134][135][136] These types of iron and sulfur could have been used by living organisms.[137]C,H,O,S,N, andP were measured directly as key biogenic elements, and by inference, P is assumed to have been there as well.[128][130] The two samples,John Klein andCumberland, contain basaltic minerals, Ca-sulfates, Fe oxide/hydroxides, Fe-sulfides, amorphous material, and trioctahedralsmectites (a type of clay). Basaltic minerals in themudstone are similar to those in nearbyaeolian deposits. However, the mudstone has far less Fe-forsterite plusmagnetite, so Fe-forsterite (type ofolivine) was probably altered to form smectite (a type of clay) andmagnetite.[138] A LateNoachian/EarlyHesperian 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.[134]
On 20 December 2013, NASA reported thatCuriosity has successfully upgraded, for the third time sincelanding, its software programs and is now operating with version 11. The new software is expected to provide the rover with betterrobotic arm andautonomous driving abilities. Due to wheel wear, a concern to drive more carefully over the rough terrain the rover is currently traveling on toMount Sharp, was also reported.[139]
On 24 January 2014, NASA reported that current studies by theCuriosity andOpportunityrovers will now be searching for evidence of ancient life, including abiosphere based onautotrophic,chemotrophic and/orchemolithoautotrophicmicroorganisms, as well as ancient water, includingfluvio-lacustrine environments (plains related to ancientrivers orlakes) that may have beenhabitable.[140][141][142][128] The search for evidence ofhabitability,taphonomy (related tofossils), andorganic carbon on the planetMars is now a primaryNASA objective.[140]
On 11 September 2014 (Sol 746),Curiosity reached the slopes ofAeolis Mons (orMount Sharp), the rover mission's long-term prime destination[143][144] and where the rover is expected to learn more about thehistory of Mars.[103]Curiosity had traveled an estimated linear distance of 6.9 km (4.3 mi)[145] to the mountain slopes since leaving its "start" point in Yellowknife Bay on 4 July 2013.[145]
On 16 December 2014, NASA reported theCuriosity rover detected a "tenfold spike", likely localized, in the amount ofmethane in theMartian atmosphere. 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.[146][147] In addition, high levels oforganic chemicals, particularlychlorobenzene, were detected in powder drilled from one of the rocks, named "Cumberland", analyzed by theCuriosity rover.[146][147]
On 6 February 2014, theCuriosity rover, in order to reduce wear on itswheels by avoiding rougher terrain,[148] successfully crossed (image) the "Dingo Gap"sand dune and is now expected to travel a smoother route toMount Sharp.[149]
On 19 May 2014, scientists announced that numerousmicrobes, likeTersicoccus phoenicis, may be resistant to methods usually used inspacecraft assembly clean rooms. It's not currently known if suchresistant microbes could have withstoodspace travel and are present on theCuriosity rover now on Mars.[150]
On 25 May 2014,Curiosity discovered aniron meteorite, and named it "Lebanon" (image).
On 3 June 2014,Curiosity observed the planetMercury transiting theSun, marking the first time aplanetary transit has been observed from a celestial body besidesEarth.[151]
On 24 June 2014,Curiosity completed aMartian year—687 Earth days—after finding that Mars once hadenvironmental conditions favorable for microbial life.[152]
On 27 June 2014,Curiosity crossed theboundary line of its "3-sigma safe-to-land ellipse" and is now in territory that may get even more interesting, especially in terms ofMartian geology and landscape (view from space).[153]
On 12 July 2014,Curiosity imaged the firstlaser spark on Mars (related image;video (01:07).)
On 6 August 2014,Curiosity celebrated its second anniversary sincelanding on Mars in 2012.[154]
On 11 September 2014, a panel of NASA scientists announced (video (01:25)) the arrival ofCuriosity atMount Sharp and discussed future rover plans.[144]
On 19 October 2014, theCuriosity rover viewed the flyby ofComet C/2013 A1.
On 8 December 2014, a panel of NASA scientists discussed (archive 62:03) the latest observations ofCuriosity, 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.[155][156][157]
On 16 December 2014, NASA reported detecting an unusual increase, then decrease, in the amounts ofmethane in theatmosphere of the planetMars; in addition,organic chemicals were detected in powder drilled from arock by theCuriosity rover. Also, based ondeuterium tohydrogen ratio studies, much of thewater atGale Crater 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.[146][147][158]
On 21 January 2015, NASA announced a collaborative effort withMicrosoft that developed a software project calledOnSight which allows scientists to perform virtual work on Mars based on data from theCuriosityrover.[159]
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.[160] 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.[161]
On 24 March 2015, NASA reported the first detection ofnitrogen released after heating surface sediments on the planetMars. The nitrogen, in the form ofnitric oxide, was detected by theSAM instrument on theCuriosity rover and can be used byliving organisms. The discovery supports the notion that ancient Mars may have been habitable forlife.[162]
On 27 March 2015, NASA reported that theBradbury Landing, 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 theSample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on theCuriosity rover, of theMartian atmosphere usingxenon andargonisotopes. Results provided support for a "vigorous" loss of atmosphere early in the history of Mars and were consistent with anatmospheric signature found in bits of atmosphere captured in someMartian meteorites found on Earth.[163]
On 19 August 2015, NASA scientists reported that theDynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) instrument on theCuriosity 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.[165]
On 5 October 2015, possiblerecurrent slope lineae, wetbrine flows, were reported onMount Sharp nearCuriosity.[166] In addition, on 5 October 2015, NASA reported an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 heat-resistantbacterial spores were onCuriosity at launch, as much as 1,000 times more than that may not have been counted.[166]
On 8 October 2015, NASA confirmed that lakes and streams existed inGale crater 3.3 - 3.8 billion years ago delivering sediments to build up the lower layers ofMount Sharp.[167][168]
On 17 December 2015, NASA reported that asCuriosity climbed higher up Mount Sharp, the composition of rocks were changing substantially. For example, rocks found higher up the mountain contained much higher levels ofsilica than thebasaltic rocks found earlier. After further analysis, the silica-rich rocks on Mars were found to betridymite, a mineral that is not commonly found on Earth.Opal-A, another form of silica, was also found on Mars.[169]
The second extended mission began on 1 October 2016.[171] The rover explored a ridge known as theMurray 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."[172] Plans for the next two years, up to September 2018, include further explorations of the uphill slopes ofMount Sharp, including a ridge rich in the mineralhematite and a region of clay-rich bedrock.[172]
On 13 December 2016, NASA reported further evidence supporting habitability on Mars as theCuriosity rover climbed higher, studying younger layers, on Mount Sharp.[173] Also reported, the very soluble elementboron was detected for the first time on Mars.[173] Since landing on Mars in August 2012,Curiosity has driven 15.0 km (9.3 mi) and climbed 165 m (541 ft) in elevation.[170]
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 ofsand moving in a nearby area.
On 6 February 2017, NASA reported that rock samples analyzed by the rover have not revealed any significantcarbonate. This poses a puzzle to researchers: the same rocks that indicate a lake existed also indicate there was very littlecarbon dioxide in the air to help keep the lake unfrozen.[174]
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."[175]
From 3 to 7 May 2017,Curiosity used ChemCam to study what turned out to bemanganese 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.[176]
On 1 June 2017, NASA reported that theCuriosity rover provided evidence of an ancient lake inGale crater on Mars that could have been favorable formicrobial life; the ancient lake wasstratified, with shallows rich inoxidants and depths poor in oxidants, particularlysilica; the ancient lake provided many different types of microbe-friendly environments at the same time. NASA further reported that theCuriosity rover will continue to explore higher and younger layers ofMount Sharp in order to determine how the lake environment in ancient times on Mars became the drier environment in more modern times.[177][178][179]
Between 22 July – 1 August 2017, few commands were sent from the Earth to Mars since Mars was inconjunction with the sun.[180]
On 5 August 2017, NASA celebrated the fifth anniversary of theCuriosity rover mission landing, and related exploratory accomplishments, on the planetMars.[181][182] (Videos:Curiosity's First Five Years (02:07);Curiosity's POV: Five Years Driving (05:49);Curiosity's Discoveries About Gale Crater (02:54))
On 5 September 2017, scientists reported that theCuriosity rover detectedboron, an essential ingredient forlife onEarth, 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 ofGale Crater on Mars.[183][184]
On 13 September 2017, NASA reported that theCuriosity rover climbed an iron-oxide-bearing ridge calledVera Rubin Ridge (orHematite 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.[185]
On 30 September 2017, NASA reportedradiation levels on the surface of the planetMars were temporarilydoubled, and were associated with anaurora 25-times brighter than any observed earlier, due to a massive, and unexpected,solar storm in the middle of the month.[186]
On 17 October 2017, NASA announced the testing of its systems onCuriosity in an attempt to better resume drilling. The drilling system had stopped working reliably in December 2016.[187]
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.[188][189]
On 22 March 2018,Curiosity had spent 2000sols (2054 days) on Mars,[190] and prepares to study a region of clay-bearing rocks.
In June 2018, alocal dust storm occurred near theOpportunity rover which may affectCuriosity.[191][192] The first signs of the storm, 1,000 km (620 mi) fromOpportunity, were discovered on 1 June 2018, inphotographs by theMars Color Imager (MARCI) camera on theMars 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 41 million km2 (16 million sq mi) - about the area of North America and Russia combined.[191][193] 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.[194][195]
On 4 June 2018, NASA announced thatCuriosity's ability to drill has been sufficiently restored by engineers. The rover had experienced drill mechanical problems since December 2016.[196]
On 7 June 2018, NASA announced a cyclical seasonal variation in atmosphericmethane, as well as the presence ofkerogen and other complexorganic compounds. The organic compounds were frommudstone rocks aged approximately 3.5 billion years old, sampled from two distinct sites in a dry lake in thePahrump Hills of theGale crater. The rock samples, whenpyrolyzed via theCuriosity'sSample Analysis at Mars instrument, released an array of organic molecules; these include sulfur-containingthiophenes,aromatic compounds such asbenzene andtoluene, andaliphatic compounds such aspropane andbutene. 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 ofkerogen, 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.[197][198][199][200][201][202][203][204]
Since 15 September 2018, a glitch inCuriosity's active computer (Side-B) has preventedCuriosity from storing science and key engineering data.[205] On 3 October 2018, theJPL began operatingCuriosity on its backup computer (Side-A).[205]Curiosity will store science and engineering data normally using its Side-A computer until the cause of the glitch in Side-B is determined and remedied.[205]
On 4 November 2018, geologists presented evidence, based on studies inGale Crater by theCuriosity rover, that there was plenty ofwater on earlyMars.[206][207]
On 26 November 2018,Curiosity viewed a shiny object (named, "Little Colonsay") on Mars.[208] Although possibly a meteorite, further studies are planned to better understand its nature.
On 1 February 2019, NASA scientists reported that theMarsCuriosity rover determined, for the first time, thedensity of Mount Sharp inGale crater, thereby establishing a clearer understanding of how the mountain was formed.[209][210]
On 4 April 2019,NASA released images ofsolar eclipses by thetwo moons of the planet Mars,Phobos (animation1) andDeimos (animation2), as viewed by theCuriosity rover on the planet Mars in March 2019.[211][212]
On 11 April 2019, NASA announced that theCuriosity rover on the planetMars drilled into, and closely studied, a "clay-bearing unit" which, according to the rover Project Manager, is a "major milestone" inCuriosity's journey upMount Sharp.[213]
During June 2019, while still studying the clay-bearing unit,Curiosity detected the highest levels ofmethane 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.[214][215][216]
The third extended mission began on 1 October 2019 - the rover's 2544th sol on Mars.[217]In October 2019, evidence in the form ofmagnesium sulfate deposits left behind in ways that suggested evaporation, uncovered by theCuriosity rover on Mount Sharp, was reported of a 150 km (93 mi) wide ancient basin in Gale crater that once may have contained a salty lake.[218][219]
In January 2020, a report was presented that comparedCuriosity at the time of its landing on Mars in 2012, with the rover over seven years later in 2020.[220]
In February 2020, scientists reported the detection ofthiopheneorganic molecules by theCuriosity rover on the planetMars. It is not currently known if the detected thiophenes — usually associated on Earth withkerogen,coal andcrude oil — are the result of biological or non-biological processes.[221][222]
In April 2020, scientists began operating the rover remotely from their homes due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[223]
On 29 August 2020, NASA released several videos taken by theCuriosity rover, including those involvingdust devils, as well as very high resolution images of the related local martian terrain.[224]
In June 2021, scientists determined that the methane concentration aroundCuriosity varied according to the time of sol, with methane present only at night. This explains the difference in methane levels detected byCuriosity and theTrace 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.[225]On 3 July 2021, theCuriosity rover viewed the "Rafael Navarro Mountain" area.
On 1 November 2021, astronomers reported detecting, in a "first-of-its-kind" process based onSAM instruments,organic molecules, includingbenzoic acid,ammonia and other related unknown compounds, on theplanet Mars by theCuriosity rover.[226][227]
On 17 January 2022, scientists reported finding an unusual signal of carbon isotopes on Mars by theCuriosity 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.[228][229][230]
In April 2022, Mars Science Laboratory was renewed for a fourth extended mission, which will include the exploration of the sulfate-bearing unit.[231]
The rover began its fourth extended mission on 1 October 2022, which will last until October 2025.[232]
In January 2023, the Curiosity Rover viewed and studied the "Cacao" meteorite.
In August 2023,Curiosity explored the upperGediz Vallis Ridge.[233][234] A panoramic view of the ridge ishere, and a 3D rendered view ishere.
In February 2024, Curiosity completed its 40th successful drilling,[235][236] 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.[237][238]
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 highcarbon-13 andoxygen-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.[239][240]
In March 2025, an analysis of a Cumberlandmudstone sampled byCuriosity was published, announcing the discovery of indigenousdecane,undecane, anddodecane, the heaviest organic molecule ever discovered on Mars, preserved in Gale crater. The study made no definite statement about their origin, but hypothesized that the alkanes were derived from the degradation ofcarboxylic acids.[241]
In the spring of 2025, NASA announced thatCuriosity had found carbonates in the form of crystallinesiderite (FeCO3). One rock contained over 10% of the mineral. These were expected on Mars due to the carbon dioxide atmosphere. Not many carbonates 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.[242]
The rover began its fifth extended mission in October 2025, which will last until the next planetary mission senior review in 2028. The plan for this extended mission is for the rover to finish exploring the Mg-sulfate unit, which it first reached in the previous extended mission. The rover will then explore the contact point between the Mg-sulfate unit and the Yardang unit as it moves back towards Gediz Vallis[243].
As of October 20, 2025,Curiosity has been on theplanet Mars for 4694sols (4823total days) since landing on 6 August 2012. Since 11 September 2014,Curiosity has beenexploring the slopes ofMount Sharp,[143][144] where more information about thehistory of Mars is expected to be found.[103] As of today, the rover has traveled over 35.5 km (22.1 mi) and climbed over 327 m (1,073 ft) in elevation[145][170][246] to, and around, the mountain base since arriving atBradbury Landing in August 2012.[145][170]
Since early 2015, the percussive mechanism in the drill that chisels into rock has had an intermittent electricalshort circuit.[247]
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.[248] The fault is in the drill feed motor - internal debris is suspected.[247] 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 theCuriosity team performed diagnostics on the drill mechanism throughout 2017.[249] On 4 June 2018, NASA announced thatCuriosity's ability to drill has been sufficiently restored by changing the drilling methods.[196]
Since 15 September 2018, a glitch inCuriosity's active computer (Side-B) has preventedCuriosity from storing science and key engineering data.[205] On 3 October 2018, theJPL began operatingCuriosity on its backup computer (Side-A).[205]Curiosity will store science and engineering data normally using its Side-A computer until the cause of the glitch in Side-B is determined and remedied.[205]
NASA first put a reliable figure of the cost of the MSL mission at the "Phase A/Phase B transition", after a preliminary design review (PDR) that approved instruments, design and engineering of the whole mission. That was in August 2006—and the Congress-approved figure was $1.63 billion. … With this request, the MSL budget had reached $1.9 billion. … NASA HQ requested JPL prepare an assessment of costs to complete the construction of MSL by the next launch opportunity (in October 2011). This figure came in around $300 million, and NASA HQ has estimated this will translate to at least $400 million (assuming reserves will be required), to launch MSL and operate it on the surface of Mars from 2012 through 2014.
REPORT NO. IG-11-019
This morning, flight controllers decided to forgo the sixth and final opportunity on the mission calendar for a course-correction maneuver.
Animation
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