Curiosity Rover

Overview

Curiosity is a car-sized rover that is part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission. Launched in 2011, it was the largest and most capable rover ever sent to Mars at that time. The rover is equipped with 10 science instruments including 17 cameras, a rock-vaporizing laser, and a drill to collect powdered rock samples. Curiosity explores Gale Crater on Mars, seeking evidence of organics and past habitable environments that could have supported microbial life. It features a 7-foot robotic arm and uses rocker-bogie suspension for traversal.

Key facts

Payload

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Reach

2,200 mm

Speed

0 m/s

Weight

899 kg

IP rating

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Battery

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Power

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Autonomy

semi-autonomous

Launch year

2011

Price

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Status

active