Mars Science Laboratory

MSL cruise configuration

Mission type| Mars rover
Operator| NASA
COSPAR ID| 2011-070A
SATCAT no.| 37936
Website| science.nasa.gov
Mission duration|

* Primary: 669 sols (687 days)
* Time since landing: 4947 sols (13 years, 11 months)

Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer| JPL
Launch mass| 3,839 kg (8,463 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date| November 26, 2011, 15:02:00.211 (2011-11-26UTC15:02) UTC[2][3][4]
Rocket| Atlas V 541 (AV-028)
Launch site| Cape Canaveral SLC-41[5]
Contractor| United Launch Alliance
Mars rover
Spacecraft component| Curiosity
Landing date| August 6, 2012, 05:17 UTC
(13 years, 11 months and 1 day ago)
Landing site| Bradbury Landing, Gale Crater
[ ⚑ ] 4°35′22″S 137°26′30″E﻿ / ﻿4.5895°S 137.4417°E﻿ / -4.5895; 137.4417[6][7]
Distance covered| 35.5 km (22.1 mi) as of 27 July 2023[update][8]

MSL (Curiosity) mission patch

Large Strategic Science Missions
Planetary Science Division

<- Cassini–Huygens

Mars 2020 ->

Mars Exploration Program

<- Phoenix

MAVEN ->

Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a robotic space probe mission to Mars launched by NASA on November 26, 2011,[2] which successfully landed Curiosity, a Mars rover, in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012.[3][9][10][11] The overall objectives include investigating Mars's habitability, studying its climate and geology, and collecting data for a human mission to Mars.[12] The rover carries a variety of scientific instruments designed by an international team.[13]

## Contents

* 1 Overview
* 2 Goals and objectives
* 3 Specifications
* 3.1 Spacecraft
* 3.2 Rover
* 3.2.1 Instruments
* 4 History
* 4.1 Cost overruns, delays, and launch
* 4.2 Naming
* 4.3 Landing site selection
* 5 Launch
* 5.1 Launch vehicle
* 5.2 Launch event
* 6 Cruise
* 6.1 Cruise stage
* 6.2 Mars transfer orbit
* 7 Entry, descent and landing (EDL)
* 7.1 EDL spacecraft system
* 7.2 EDL event–August 6, 2012
* 7.2.1 Guided entry
* 7.2.2 Parachute descent
* 7.2.3 Powered descent
* 7.2.4 Sky crane
* 7.3 Landing site
* 8 Media
* 8.1 Videos
* 8.2 Images
* 9 See also
* 10 References
* 11 Further reading
* 12 External links

## Overview

Hubble view of Mars: Gale crater can be seen. Slightly left and south of center, it is a small dark spot with dust trailing southward from it.

MSL carried out the most accurate Martian landing of any spacecraft at the time, hitting a target landing ellipse of 7 by 20 km (4.3 by 12.4 mi),[14] in the Aeolis Palus region of Gale Crater. MSL landed 2.4 km (1.5 mi) east and 400 m (1,300 ft) north of the center of the target.[15][16] This location is near the mountain Aeolis Mons (a.k.a. "Mount Sharp").[17][18][19]

The Mars Science Laboratory mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort for the robotic exploration of Mars that is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of California Institute of Technology. The total cost of the MSL project was US$2.5 billion.[20][21]

Previous successful U.S. Mars rovers include Sojourner from the Mars Pathfinder mission and the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. Curiosity is about twice as long and five times as heavy as Spirit and Opportunity,[22] and carries over ten times the mass of scientific instruments.[23]

## Goals and objectives

MSL self-portrait from Gale Crater sol 85 (October 31, 2012)

For results and findings, see Organization:Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory.

The MSL mission has four scientific goals: Determine the landing site's habitability including the role of water, the study of the climate and the geology of Mars. It is also useful preparation for a future human mission to Mars.

To contribute to these goals, MSL has eight main scientific objectives:[24]

Biological

* (1) Determine the nature and inventory of organic carbon compounds
* (2) Investigate the chemical building blocks of life (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur)
* (3) Identify features that may represent the effects of biological processes (biosignatures)

Geological and geochemical

* (4) Investigate the chemical, isotopic, and mineralogical composition of the Martian surface and near-surface geological materials
* (5) Interpret the processes that have formed and modified rocks and soils

Planetary process

* (6) Assess long-timescale (i.e., 4-billion-year) Martian atmospheric evolution processes
* (7) Determine present state, distribution, and cycling of water and carbon dioxide

Surface radiation

* (8) Characterize the broad spectrum of surface radiation, including cosmic radiation, solar particle events and secondary neutrons. As part of its exploration, it also measured the radiation exposure in the interior of the spacecraft as it traveled to Mars, and it is continuing radiation measurements as it explores the surface of Mars. This data would be important for a future human mission.[25]

About one year into the surface mission, and having assessed that ancient Mars could have been hospitable to microbial life, the MSL mission objectives evolved to developing predictive models for the preservation process of organic compounds and biomolecules; a branch of paleontology called taphonomy.[26]

## Specifications

### Spacecraft

Mars Science Laboratory in final assembly Diagram of the MSL spacecraft: 1- Cruise stage; 2- Backshell; 3- Descent stage; 4- Curiosity rover; 5- Heat shield; 6- Parachute

The spacecraft flight system had a mass at launch of 3,893 kg (8,583 lb), consisting of an Earth-Mars fueled cruise stage (539 kg (1,188 lb)), the entry-descent-landing (EDL) system (2,401 kg (5,293 lb) including 390 kg (860 lb) of landing propellant), and a 899 kg (1,982 lb) mobile rover with an integrated instrument package.[1][27]

The MSL spacecraft includes spaceflight-specific instruments, in addition to utilizing one of the rover instruments — Radiation assessment detector (RAD) — during the spaceflight transit to Mars.

* MSL EDL Instrument (MEDLI): The MEDLI project's main objective is to measure aerothermal environments, sub-surface heat shield material response, vehicle orientation, and atmospheric density.[28] The MEDLI instrumentation suite was installed in the heatshield of the MSL entry vehicle. The acquired data will support future Mars missions by providing measured atmospheric data to validate Mars atmosphere models and clarify the lander design margins on future Mars missions. MEDLI instrumentation consists of three main subsystems: MEDLI Integrated Sensor Plugs (MISP), Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System (MEADS) and the Sensor Support Electronics (SSE).

### Rover

Color-coded rover diagram

Curiosity rover has a mass of 899 kg (1,982 lb), can travel up to 90 m (300 ft) per hour on its six-wheeled rocker-bogie system, is powered by a multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG), and communicates in both X band and UHF bands.

* Computers: The two identical on-board rover computers, called "Rover Compute Element" (RCE), contain radiation-hardened memory to tolerate the extreme radiation from space and to safeguard against power-off cycles. Each computer's memory includes 256 KB of EEPROM, 256 MB of DRAM, and 2 GB of flash memory.[29] This compares to 3 MB of EEPROM, 128 MB of DRAM, and 256 MB of flash memory used in the Mars Exploration Rovers.[30]

The RCE computers use the RAD750 CPU (a successor to the RAD6000 CPU used in the Mars Exploration Rovers) operating at 200 MHz.[31][32][33] The RAD750 CPU is capable of up to 400 MIPS, while the RAD6000 CPU is capable of up to 35 MIPS.[34][35] Of the two on-board computers, one is configured as backup, and will take over in the event of problems with the main computer.[29]

The rover has an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that provides 3-axis information on its position, which is used in rover navigation.[29] The rover's computers are constantly self-monitoring to keep the rover operational, such as by regulating the rover's temperature.[29] Activities such as taking pictures, driving, and operating the instruments are performed in a command sequence that is sent from the flight team to the rover.[29]

The rover's computers run VxWorks, a real-time operating system from Wind River Systems. During the trip to Mars, VxWorks ran applications dedicated to the navigation and guidance phase of the mission, and also had a pre-programmed software sequence for handling the complexity of the entry-descent-landing. Once landed, the applications were replaced with software for driving on the surface and performing scientific activities.[36][37][38]

Goldstone antenna can receive signals. Wheels of a working sibling to Curiosity. The Morse code pattern (for "JPL") is represented by small (dot) and large (dash) holes in three horizontal lines on the wheels. The code on each line is read from right to left.

* Communications: Curiosity is equipped with several means of communication, for redundancy. An X band Small Deep Space Transponder for communication directly to Earth via the NASA Deep Space Network[39] and a UHF Electra-Lite software-defined radio for communicating with Mars orbiters.[27]: 46 The X-band system has one radio, with a 15 W power amplifier, and two antennas: a low-gain omnidirectional antenna that can communicate with Earth at very low data rates (15 bit/s at maximum range), regardless of rover orientation, and a high-gain antenna that can communicate at speeds up to 32 kbit/s, but must be aimed. The UHF system has two radios (approximately 9 W transmit power[27]: 81 ), sharing one omnidirectional antenna. This can communicate with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter (ODY) at speeds up to 2 Mbit/s and 256 kbit/s, respectively, but each orbiter is only able to communicate with Curiosity for about 8 minutes per day.[40] The orbiters have larger antennas and more powerful radios, and can relay data to Earth faster than the rover could do directly. Therefore, most of the data returned by Curiosity (MSL) is via the UHF relay links with MRO and ODY. The data return during the first 10 days was approximately 31 megabytes per day.

Typically 225 kbit/day of commands are transmitted to the rover directly from Earth, at a data rate of 1–2 kbit/s, during a 15-minute (900 second) transmit window, while the larger volumes of data collected by the rover are returned via satellite relay.[27]: 46 The one-way communication delay with Earth varies from 4 to 22 minutes, depending on the planets' relative positions, with 12.5 minutes being the average.[41]

At landing, telemetry was monitored by the 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and ESA's Mars Express. Odyssey is capable of relaying UHF telemetry back to Earth in real time. The relay time varies with the distance between the two planets and took 13:46 minutes at the time of landing.[42][43]

* Mobility systems: Curiosity is equipped with six wheels in a rocker-bogie suspension, which also served as landing gear for the vehicle, unlike its smaller predecessors.[44][45] The wheels are significantly larger (50 centimeters (20 in) diameter) than those used on previous rovers. Each wheel has cleats and is independently actuated and geared, providing for climbing in soft sand and scrambling over rocks. The four corner wheels can be independently steered, allowing the vehicle to turn in place as well as execute arcing turns.[27] Each wheel has a pattern that helps it maintain traction and leaves patterned tracks in the sandy surface of Mars. That pattern is used by on-board cameras to judge the distance traveled. The pattern itself is Morse code for "JPL" (•−−− •−−• •−••).[46] Based on the center of mass, the vehicle can withstand a tilt of at least 50 degrees in any direction without overturning, but automatic sensors will limit the rover from exceeding 30-degree tilts.[27]

#### Instruments

Main instruments

APXS – Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer
ChemCam – Chemistry and Camera complex
CheMin – Chemistry and Mineralogy
DAN – Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons
Hazcam – Hazard Avoidance Camera
MAHLI – Mars Hand Lens Imager
MARDI – Mars Descent Imager
MastCam – Mast Camera
MEDLI – MSL EDL Instrument
Navcam – Navigation Camera
RAD – Radiation assessment detector
REMS – Rover Environmental Monitoring Station
SAM – Sample Analysis at Mars
The shadow of Curiosity and Aeolis Mons ("Mount Sharp")

The general analysis strategy begins with high resolution cameras to look for features of interest. If a particular surface is of interest, Curiosity can vaporize a small portion of it with an infrared laser and examine the resulting spectra signature to query the rock's elemental composition. If that signature intrigues, the rover will use its long arm to swing over a microscope and an X-ray spectrometer to take a closer look. If the specimen warrants further analysis, Curiosity can drill into the boulder and deliver a powdered sample to either the SAM or the CheMin analytical laboratories inside the rover.[47][48][49]

* Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS): This device can irradiate samples with alpha particles and map the spectra of X-rays that are re-emitted for determining the elemental composition of samples.
* CheMin: CheMin is short for 'Chemistry and Mineralogy', and it is an X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analyzer.[50][51][52] It will identify and quantify the minerals present in rocks and soil and thereby assess the involvement of water in their formation, deposition, or alteration.[51] In addition, CheMin data will be useful in the search for potential mineral biosignatures, energy sources for life or indicators for past habitable environments.[50][51]
* Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM): The SAM instrument suite will analyze organics and gases from both atmospheric and solid samples.[48][49] This include oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) in the atmosphere of Mars in order to distinguish between their geochemical or biological origin.[48][53][54][55][56]

Comparison of Radiation Doses – includes the amount detected on the trip from Earth to Mars by the RAD on the MSL (2011–2013)[57][58][59]

* Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD): This instrument was the first of ten MSL instruments to be turned on. Both en route and on the planet's surface, it characterized the broad spectrum of radiation encountered in the Martian environment. Turned on after launch, it recorded several radiation spikes caused by the Sun.[60] NASA scientists reported that a possible human mission to Mars may involve a great radiation risk due to energetic particle radiation detected by the RAD while traveling from the Earth to Mars.[57][58][59]

The RAD on Curiosity

* Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN): A pulsed neutron source and detector for measuring hydrogen or ice and water at or near the Martian surface.[61][62] On August 18, 2012 (sol 12) the Russian science instrument, DAN, was turned on,[63] marking the success of a Russian-American collaboration on the surface of Mars and the first working Russian science instrument on the Martian surface since Mars 3 stopped transmitting over forty years ago.[64] The instrument is designed to detect subsurface water.[63]
* Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS): Meteorological package and an ultraviolet sensor provided by Spain and Finland.[65] It measures humidity, pressure, temperatures, wind speeds, and ultraviolet radiation.[65]
* Cameras: Curiosity has seventeen cameras overall.[66] 12 engineering cameras (Hazcams and Navcams) and five science cameras. MAHLI, MARDI, and MastCam cameras were developed by Malin Space Science Systems and they all share common design components, such as on-board electronic imaging processing boxes, 1600×1200 CCDs, and a RGB Bayer pattern filter.[67][68][69][70][71][72]
* MastCam: This system provides multiple spectra and true-color imaging with two cameras.
* Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI): This system consists of a camera mounted to a robotic arm on the rover, used to acquire microscopic images of rock and soil. It has white and ultraviolet LEDs for illumination.
* ChemCam: Designed by Roger Wiens is a system of remote sensing instruments used to erode the Martian surface up to 10 meters away and measure the different components that make up the land.[73] The payload includes the first laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system to be used for planetary science, and Curiosity's fifth science camera, the remote micro-imager (RMI). The RMI provides black-and-white images at 1024×1024 resolution in a 0.02 radian (1.1-degree) field of view.[74] This is approximately equivalent to a 1500 mm lens on a 35 mm camera.

MARDI views the surface.

* Mars Descent Imager (MARDI): During the descent to the Martian surface, MARDI acquired 4 color images per second, at 1600×1200 pixels, with a 0.9-millisecond exposure time, from before heatshield separation at 3.7 km altitude, until a few seconds after touchdown. This provided engineering information about both the motion of the rover during the descent process, and science information about the terrain immediately surrounding the rover. NASA descoped MARDI in 2007, but Malin Space Science Systems contributed it with its own resources.[75] After landing it could take 1.5 mm (0.059 in) per pixel views of the surface,[76] the first of these post-landing photos were taken by August 27, 2012 (sol 20).[77]
* Engineering cameras: There are 12 additional cameras that support mobility:
* Hazard avoidance cameras (Hazcams): The rover has a pair of black and white navigation cameras (Hazcams) located on each of its four corners.[78] These provide close-up views of potential obstacles about to go under the wheels.
* Navigation cameras (Navcams): The rover uses two pairs of black and white navigation cameras mounted on the mast to support ground navigation.[78] These provide a longer-distance view of the terrain ahead.

## History

MSL's cruise stage being tested at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Pasadena, California

The Mars Science Laboratory was recommended by United States National Research Council Decadal Survey committee as the top priority middle-class Mars mission in 2003.[79] NASA called for proposals for the rover's scientific instruments in April 2004,[80] and eight proposals were selected on December 14 of that year.[80] Testing and design of components also began in late 2004, including Aerojet's designing of a monopropellant engine with the ability to throttle from 15 to 100 percent thrust with a fixed propellant inlet pressure.[80]

### Cost overruns, delays, and launch

By November 2008 most hardware and software development was complete, and testing continued.[81] At this point, cost overruns were approximately $400 million. In the attempts to meet the launch date, several instruments and a cache for samples were removed and other instruments and cameras were simplified to simplify testing and integration of the rover.[82][83] The next month, NASA delayed the launch to late 2011 because of inadequate testing time.[84][85][86] Eventually the costs for developing the rover reached $2.47 billion, that for a rover that initially had been classified as a medium-cost mission with a maximum budget of $650 million, yet NASA still had to ask for an additional $82 million to meet the planned November launch. As of 2012, the project suffered an 84 percent overrun.[87]

MSL launched on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral on November 26, 2011.[88] On January 11, 2012, the spacecraft successfully refined its trajectory with a three-hour series of thruster-engine firings, advancing the rover's landing time by about 14 hours. When MSL was launched, the program's director was Doug McCuistion of NASA's Planetary Science Division.[89]

Curiosity successfully landed in the Gale Crater at 05:17:57.3 UTC on August 6, 2012,[3][9][10][11] and transmitted Hazcam images confirming orientation.[11] Due to the Mars-Earth distance at the time of landing and the limited speed of radio signals, the landing was not registered on Earth for another 14 minutes.[11] The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter sent a photograph of Curiosity descending under its parachute, taken by its HiRISE camera, during the landing procedure.

Six senior members of the Curiosity team presented a news conference a few hours after landing, they were: John Grunsfeld, NASA associate administrator; Charles Elachi, director, JPL; Peter Theisinger, MSL project manager; Richard Cook, MSL deputy project manager; Adam Steltzner, MSL entry, descent and landing (EDL) lead; and John Grotzinger, MSL project scientist.[90]

### Naming

Between March 23 and 29, 2009, the general public ranked nine finalist rover names (Adventure, Amelia, Journey, Perception, Pursuit, Sunrise, Vision, Wonder, and Curiosity)[91] through a public poll on the NASA website.[92] On May 27, 2009, the winning name was announced to be Curiosity. The name had been submitted in an essay contest by Clara Ma, a sixth-grader from Kansas.[92][93][94]

> Curiosity is the passion that drives us through our everyday lives. We have become explorers and scientists with our need to ask questions and to wonder.

— Clara Ma, NASA/JPL Name the Rover contest

### Landing site selection

Aeolis Mons rises from the middle of Gale Crater – Green dot marks the Curiosity rover landing site in Aeolis Palus[95][96] – North is down.

Over 60 landing sites were evaluated, and by July 2011 Gale crater was chosen. A primary goal when selecting the landing site was to identify a particular geologic environment, or set of environments, that would support microbial life. Planners looked for a site that could contribute to a wide variety of possible science objectives. They preferred a landing site with both morphologic and mineralogical evidence for past water. Furthermore, a site with spectra indicating multiple hydrated minerals was preferred; clay minerals and sulfate salts would constitute a rich site. Hematite, other iron oxides, sulfate minerals, silicate minerals, silica, and possibly chloride minerals were suggested as possible substrates for fossil preservation. Indeed, all are known to facilitate the preservation of fossil morphologies and molecules on Earth.[97] Difficult terrain was favored for finding evidence of livable conditions, but the rover must be able to safely reach the site and drive within it.[98]

Engineering constraints called for a landing site less than 45° from the Martian equator, and less than 1 km above the reference datum.[99] At the first MSL Landing Site workshop, 33 potential landing sites were identified.[100] By the end of the second workshop in late 2007, the list was reduced to six;[101][102] in November 2008, project leaders at a third workshop reduced the list to these four landing sites:[103][104][105][106]

Name  | Location  | Elevation  | Notes

|
|
|

Eberswalde Crater Delta |  [ ⚑ ] 23°52′S 326°44′E﻿ / ﻿23.86°S 326.73°E﻿ / -23.86; 326.73 | −1,450 m (−4,760 ft) | Ancient river delta.[107]
Holden Crater Fan |  [ ⚑ ] 26°22′S 325°06′E﻿ / ﻿26.37°S 325.10°E﻿ / -26.37; 325.10 | −1,940 m (−6,360 ft) | Dry lake bed.[108]
Gale Crater |  [ ⚑ ] 4°29′S 137°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.[109] Selected.[95]
Mawrth Vallis Site 2 |  [ ⚑ ] 24°01′N 341°02′E﻿ / ﻿24.01°N 341.03°E﻿ / 24.01; 341.03 | −2,246 m (−7,369 ft) | Channel carved by catastrophic floods.[110]

A fourth landing site workshop was held in late September 2010,[111] and the fifth and final workshop May 16–18, 2011.[112] On July 22, 2011, it was announced that Gale Crater had been selected as the landing site of the Mars Science Laboratory mission.

## Launch

The MSL launched from Cape Canaveral

### Launch vehicle

The Atlas V launch vehicle is capable of launching up to 8,290 kg (18,280 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit.[113] The Atlas V was also used to launch the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the New Horizons probe.[5][114]

The first and second stages, along with the solid rocket motors, were stacked on October 9, 2011, near the launch pad.[115] The fairing containing MSL was transported to the launch pad on November 3, 2011.[116]

### Launch event

MSL was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on November 26, 2011, at 15:02 UTC via the Atlas V 541 provided by United Launch Alliance.[117] This two stage rocket includes a 3.8 m (12 ft) Common Core Booster (CCB) powered by one RD-180 engine, four solid rocket boosters (SRB), and one Centaur second stage with a 5 m (16 ft) diameter payload fairing.[118] The NASA Launch Services Program coordinated the launch via the NASA Launch Services (NLS) I Contract.[119]

## Cruise

Animation of Mars Science Laboratory's trajectory
Earth * Mars * Mars Science Laboratory

### Cruise stage

The cruise stage carried the MSL spacecraft through the void of space and delivered it to Mars. The interplanetary trip covered the distance of 352 million miles in 253 days.[120] The cruise stage has its own miniature propulsion system, consisting of eight thrusters using hydrazine fuel in two titanium tanks.[121] It also has its own electric power system, consisting of a solar array and battery for providing continuous power. Upon reaching Mars, the spacecraft stopped spinning and a cable cutter separated the cruise stage from the aeroshell.[121] Then the cruise stage was diverted into a separate trajectory into the atmosphere.[122][123] In December 2012, the debris field from the cruise stage was located by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Since the initial size, velocity, density and impact angle of the hardware are known, it will provide information on impact processes on the Mars surface and atmospheric properties.[124]

### Mars transfer orbit

The MSL spacecraft departed Earth orbit and was inserted into a heliocentric Mars transfer orbit on November 26, 2011, shortly after launch, by the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas V launch vehicle.[118] Prior to Centaur separation, the spacecraft was spin-stabilized at 2 rpm for attitude control during the 36,210 km/h (22,500 mph) cruise to Mars.[125]

During cruise, eight thrusters arranged in two clusters were used as actuators to control spin rate and perform axial or lateral trajectory correction maneuvers.[27] By spinning about its central axis, it maintained a stable attitude.[27][126][127] Along the way, the cruise stage performed four trajectory correction maneuvers to adjust the spacecraft's path toward its landing site.[128] Information was sent to mission controllers via two X-band antennas.[121] A key task of the cruise stage was to control the temperature of all spacecraft systems and dissipate the heat generated by power sources, such as solar cells and motors, into space. In some systems, insulating blankets kept sensitive science instruments warmer than the near-absolute zero temperature of space. Thermostats monitored temperatures and switched heating and cooling systems on or off as needed.[121]

##  Entry, descent and landing (EDL)

### EDL spacecraft system

See also: Organization:Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory

Landing a large mass on Mars is particularly challenging as the atmosphere is too thin for parachutes and aerobraking alone to be effective,[129] while remaining thick enough to create stability and impingement problems when decelerating with retrorockets.[129] Although some previous missions have used airbags to cushion the shock of landing, the Curiosity rover is too heavy for this to be an option. Instead, Curiosity was set down on the Martian surface using a new high-accuracy entry, descent, and landing (EDL) system that was part of the MSL spacecraft descent stage. The mass of this EDL system, including parachute, sky crane, fuel and aeroshell, is 2,401 kg (5,293 lb).[130] The novel EDL system placed Curiosity within a 20 by 7 km (12.4 by 4.3 mi) landing ellipse,[96] in contrast to the 150 by 20 km (93 by 12 mi) landing ellipse of the landing systems used by the Mars Exploration Rovers.[131]

The entry-descent-landing (EDL) system differs from those used for other missions in that it does not require an interactive, ground-generated mission plan. During the entire landing phase, the vehicle acts autonomously, based on pre-loaded software and parameters.[27] The EDL system was based on a Viking-derived aeroshell structure and propulsion system for a precision guided entry and soft landing, in contrasts with the airbag landings that were used in the mid-1990s by the Mars Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rover missions. The spacecraft employed several systems in a precise order, with the entry, descent and landing sequence broken down into four parts[131][132]—described below as the spaceflight events unfolded on August 6, 2012.

### EDL event–August 6, 2012

Martian atmosphere entry events from cruise stage separation to parachute deployment

Despite its late hour, particularly on the east coast of the United States where it was 1:31 a.m.,[9] the landing generated significant public interest. 3.2 million watched the landing live with most watching online instead of on television via NASA TV or cable news networks covering the event live.[133] The final landing place for the rover was less than 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from its target after a 563,270,400 km (350,000,000 mi) journey.[38] In addition to streaming and traditional video viewing, JPL made Eyes on the Solar System, a three-dimensional real time simulation of entry, descent and landing based on real data. Curiosity's touchdown time as represented in the software, based on JPL predictions, was less than 1 second different from reality.[134]

The EDL phase of the MSL spaceflight mission to Mars took only seven minutes and unfolded automatically, as programmed by JPL engineers in advance, in a precise order, with the entry, descent and landing sequence occurring in four distinct event phases:[131][132]

#### Guided entry

The guided entry is the phase that allowed the spacecraft to steer with accuracy to its planned landing site.

Precision guided entry made use of onboard computing ability to steer itself toward the pre-determined landing site, improving landing accuracy from a range of hundreds of kilometers to 20 kilometers (12 mi). This capability helped remove some of the uncertainties of landing hazards that might be present in larger landing ellipses.[135] Steering was achieved by the combined use of thrusters and ejectable balance masses.[136] The ejectable balance masses shift the capsule center of mass enabling generation of a lift vector during the atmospheric phase. A navigation computer integrated the measurements to estimate the position and attitude of the capsule that generated automated torque commands. This was the first planetary mission to use precision landing techniques.

The rover was folded up within an aeroshell that protected it during the travel through space and during the atmospheric entry at Mars. Ten minutes before atmospheric entry the aeroshell separated from the cruise stage that provided power, communications and propulsion during the long flight to Mars. One minute after separation from the cruise stage thrusters on the aeroshell fired to cancel out the spacecraft's 2-rpm rotation and achieved an orientation with the heat shield facing Mars in preparation for Atmospheric entry.[137] The heat shield is made of phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA). The 4.5 m (15 ft) diameter heat shield, which is the largest heat shield ever flown in space,[138] reduced the velocity of the spacecraft by ablation against the Martian atmosphere, from the atmospheric interface velocity of approximately 5.8 km/s (3.6 mi/s) down to approximately 470 m/s (1,500 ft/s), where parachute deployment was possible about four minutes later. One minute and 15 seconds after entry the heat shield experienced peak temperatures of up to 2,090 °C (3,790 °F) as atmospheric pressure converted kinetic energy into heat. Ten seconds after peak heating, that deceleration peaked out at 15 g.[137]

Much of the reduction of the landing precision error was accomplished by an entry guidance algorithm, derived from the algorithm used for guidance of the Apollo Command Modules returning to Earth in the Apollo program.[137] This guidance uses the lifting force experienced by the aeroshell to "fly out" any detected error in range and thereby arrive at the targeted landing site. In order for the aeroshell to have lift, its center of mass is offset from the axial centerline that results in an off-center trim angle in atmospheric flight. This was accomplished by ejecting ballast masses consisting of two 75 kg (165 lb) tungsten weights minutes before atmospheric entry.[137] The lift vector was controlled by four sets of two reaction control system (RCS) thrusters that produced approximately 500 N (110 lbf) of thrust per pair. This ability to change the pointing of the direction of lift allowed the spacecraft to react to the ambient environment, and steer toward the landing zone. Prior to parachute deployment the entry vehicle ejected more ballast mass consisting of six 25 kg (55 lb) tungsten weights such that the center of gravity offset was removed.[137]

#### Parachute descent

MSL's parachute is 16 m (52 ft) in diameter. NASA's Curiosity rover and its parachute were spotted by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as the probe descended to the surface. August 6, 2012.

When the entry phase was complete and the capsule slowed to about 470 m/s (1,500 ft/s) at about 10 km (6.2 mi) altitude, the supersonic parachute deployed,[139] as was done by previous landers such as Viking, Mars Pathfinder and the Mars Exploration Rovers. The parachute has 80 suspension lines, is over 50 m (160 ft) long, and is about 16 m (52 ft) in diameter.[140] Capable of being deployed at Mach 2.2, the parachute can generate up to 289 kN (65,000 lbf) of drag force in the Martian atmosphere.[140] After the parachute was deployed, the heat shield separated and fell away. A camera beneath the rover acquired about 5 frames per second (with resolution of 1600×1200 pixels) below 3.7 km (2.3 mi) during a period of about 2 minutes until the rover sensors confirmed successful landing.[141] The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter team were able to acquire an image of the MSL descending under the parachute.[142]

#### Powered descent

The powered descent stage

Following the parachute braking, at about 1.8 km (1.1 mi) altitude, still travelling at about 100 m/s (220 mph), the rover and descent stage dropped out of the aeroshell.[139] The descent stage is a platform above the rover with eight variable thrust monopropellant hydrazine rocket thrusters on arms extending around this platform to slow the descent. Each rocket thruster, called a Mars Lander Engine (MLE),[126] produces 400 to 3,100 N (90 to 697 lbf) of thrust and were derived from those used on the Viking landers.[143] A radar altimeter measured altitude and velocity, feeding data to the rover's flight computer. Meanwhile, the rover transformed from its stowed flight configuration to a landing configuration while being lowered beneath the descent stage by the "sky crane" system.

####  Sky crane

Main article: Astronomy:Sky crane (landing system)

Entry events from parachute deployment through powered descent ending at sky crane flyaway Artist's conceptIon of Curiosity being lowered from the rocket-powered descent stage

For several reasons, a different landing system was chosen for MSL compared to previous Mars landers and rovers. Curiosity was considered too heavy to use the airbag landing system as used on the Mars Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rovers. A legged lander approach would have caused several design problems.[137] It would have needed to have engines high enough above the ground when landing not to form a dust cloud that could damage the rover's instruments. This would have required long landing legs that would need to have significant width to keep the center of gravity low. A legged lander would have also required ramps so the rover could drive down to the surface, which would have incurred extra risk to the mission on the chance rocks or tilt would prevent Curiosity from being able to drive off the lander successfully. Faced with these challenges, the MSL engineers came up with a novel alternative solution: the sky crane.[137] The sky crane system lowered the rover with a 7.6 m (25 ft)[137] tether to a soft landing—wheels down—on the surface of Mars.[139][144][145] This system consists of a bridle lowering the rover on three nylon tethers and an electrical cable carrying information and power between the descent stage and rover. As the support and data cables unreeled, the rover's six motorized wheels snapped into position. At roughly 7.5 m (25 ft) below the descent stage the sky crane system slowed to a halt and the rover touched down. After the rover touched down, it waited two seconds to confirm that it was on solid ground by detecting the weight on the wheels and fired several pyros (small explosive devices) activating cable cutters on the bridle and umbilical cords to free itself from the descent stage. The descent stage then flew away to a crash landing 650 m (2,100 ft) away.[146] The sky crane concept had never been used in missions before.[147]

###  Landing site

Main articles: Astronomy:Bradbury Landing and Gale (crater)

Gale Crater is the MSL landing site.[95][148][149] Within Gale Crater is a mountain, named Aeolis Mons ("Mount Sharp"),[17][18][150] of layered rocks, rising about 5.5 km (18,000 ft) above the crater floor, that Curiosity will investigate. The landing site is a smooth region in "Yellowknife" Quad 51[151][152][153][154] of Aeolis Palus inside the crater in front of the mountain. The target landing site location was an elliptical area 20 by 7 km (12.4 by 4.3 mi).[96] Gale Crater's diameter is 154 km (96 mi).

The landing location for the rover was less than 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from the center of the planned landing ellipse, after a 563,000,000 km (350,000,000 mi) journey.[155] NASA named the rover landing site Bradbury Landing on sol 16, August 22, 2012.[156] According to NASA, an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 heat-resistant bacterial spores were on Curiosity at launch, and as much as 1,000 times that number may not have been counted.[157]

## Media

### Videos

File:MSL Launches to the Red Planet.ogv

MSL launches from Cape Canaveral.

File:Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror.ogv

MSL's Seven Minutes of Terror, a NASA video describing the landing

File:Curiosity's descent in high-definition.ogv

MSL's descent to the surface of Gale Crater

File:Curiosity heat-shield landing on Mars - MRO.ogv

MSL's heat shield hitting Martian ground and raising a cloud of dust

### Images

* Curiosity's landing site is on Aeolis Palus near Mount Sharp in Gale Crater – north is down.

* Ejected Heat Shield as the rover descended to the Martian surface (August 6, 2012 05:17 UTC)

* Curiosity descending under its parachute, as viewed by HiRISE (MRO) (August 6, 2012)

* MSL's debris field on August 17, 2012 (3-D versions: rover and parachute)

* Curiosity's landing site (Bradbury Landing) viewed by HiRISE (MRO) (August 14, 2012)

* Curiosity's first image after landing – The rover's wheel can be seen (August 6, 2012).

* Curiosity's first color image of the Martian landscape (August 6, 2012)

* Curiosity's first test drive (Bradbury Landing) (August 22, 2012)[156]

Curiosity rover – near Bradbury Landing (August 9, 2012)

Curiosity's view of Mount Sharp (September 20, 2012; white balanced) (raw color)

Curiosity's view from the "Rocknest" looking eastward toward "Point Lake" (center) on the way to "Glenelg Intrigue" (November 26, 2012; white balanced) (raw color)

Curiosity's view of Mount Sharp (September 9, 2015)

Curiosity's view of Mars sky at sunset (February 2013; Sun simulated by artist)

## See also

* Astronomy:Aeolis quadrangle - One of a series of 30 quadrangle maps of Mars
* Astronomy:Astrobiology
* Astronomy:ExoMars - Astrobiology programme
* Exploration of Mars
* Astronomy:InSight
* Astronomy:List of missions to Mars - None
* Astronomy:List of rocks on Mars - Alphabetical list of named rocks and meteorites found on Mars
* Astronomy:Mars 2020
* Astronomy:MAVEN
* Engineering:Robotic spacecraft - Uncrewed spacecraft, usually under telerobotic control
* Astronomy:U.S. space exploration history on U.S. stamps - Overview of ventures beyond Earth as depicted for ease of American postage

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98. ↑ "Survivor: Mars — Seven Possible MSL Landing Sites". Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA). September 18, 2008. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/timeline/prelaunch/landingsiteselection/sevencandidates/.
99. ↑ "MSL Landing Site Selection User's Guide to Engineering Constraints". June 12, 2006. http://marsoweb.nas.nasa.gov/landingsites/msl/memoranda/MSL_Eng_User_Guide_v3.pdf.
100. ↑ "MSL Workshop Summary". April 27, 2007. http://marsoweb.nas.nasa.gov/landingsites/msl/workshops/1st_workshop/docs/MSL_workshop_summary.pdf.
101. ↑ "Second MSL Landing Site Workshop". http://marsoweb.nas.nasa.gov/landingsites/msl2009/workshops/2nd_workshop/2nd_announcement.html.
102. ↑ GuyMac (January 4, 2008). "Reconnaissance of MSL Sites". HiBlog. http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/HiBlog/?p=131.
103. ↑ "Site List Narrows For NASA's Next Mars Landing". Mars Today. November 19, 2008. http://www.marstoday.com/news/viewpr.rss.html?pid=26970.
104. ↑ "Current MSL Landing Sites". NASA. https://webgis.wr.usgs.gov/msl/.
105. ↑ "Looking at Landing Sites for the Mars Science Laboratory". YouTube. NASA/JPL. May 27, 2009. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfYK8r6tlrg.
106. ↑ "Final 7 Prospective Landing Sites". NASA. February 19, 2009. http://marsoweb.nas.nasa.gov/landingsites/index.html.
107. ↑ NASA, JPL. "Possible MSL Landing Site: Eberswalde Crater - Mars Science Laboratory". http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/timeline/prelaunch/landingsiteselection/eberswalde2/.
108. ↑ NASA, JPL. "Possible MSL Landing Site: Holden Crater - Mars Science Laboratory". http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/timeline/prelaunch/landingsiteselection/holdencrater2/.
109. ↑ NASA, JPL. "Gale Crater - Mars Science Laboratory". http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/timeline/prelaunch/landingsiteselection/galecrater2/.
110. ↑ NASA, JPL. "Possible MSL Landing Site: Mawrth Vallis - Mars Science Laboratory". http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/timeline/prelaunch/landingsiteselection/mawrthvallis2/.
111. ↑ Presentations for the Fourth MSL Landing Site Workshop September 2010
112. ↑ Second Announcement for the Final MSL Landing Site Workshop and Call for Papers March 2011
113. ↑ "Atlas V". United Launch Alliance. https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/atlas-v.
114. ↑ "Mars Science Laboratory: Mission: Launch Vehicle". NASA/JPL. http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/launchvehicle/.
115. ↑ Ken Kremer (October 9, 2011). "Assembling Curiosity's Rocket to Mars". Universe Today. http://www.universetoday.com/89346/assembling-curiosity’s-rocket-to-mars/.
116. ↑ Sutton, Jane (November 3, 2011). "NASA's new Mars rover reaches Florida launch pad". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-mars-idUSTRE7A26VA20111103.
117. ↑ Dunn, Marcia (November 27, 2011). "NASA Launches Super-Size Rover to Mars". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press: p. 5C. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39642506/the_daily_sentinel/.
118. ↑ 118.0 118.1 "United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket Successfully Launches NASA's Mars Science Lab on Journey to Red Planet". ULA Launch Information. United Launch Alliance. November 26, 2011. http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/89/.
119. ↑ Buckingham, Bruce; Trinidad, Katherine (June 2, 2006). "NASA Announces Mars Science Lab Mission Launch Contract". NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2006/release-20060602d.html.
120. ↑ Chang, Kenneth (August 22, 2012). "After Trip of 352 Million Miles, Cheers for 23 Feet on Mars". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/science/space/nasas-curiosity-rover-gets-moving-on-mars.html?_r=0.
121. ↑ 121.0 121.1 121.2 121.3 NASA. "MSL – Cruise Configuration". JPL. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/spacecraft/cruiseconfig/.
122. ↑ Dahya, N. (March 1–8, 2008). "Design and Fabrication of the Cruise Stage Spacecraft for MSL". 2008 IEEE Aerospace Conference. IEEE Explore. pp. 1–6. doi:10.1109/AERO.2008.4526539. ISBN 978-1-4244-1487-1.
123. ↑ "Follow Curiosity's descent to Mars". NASA. 2012. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/interactives/edlcuriosity/. "Animation"
124. ↑ "Orbiter Spies Where Rover's Cruise Stage Hit Mars". http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2012-386.
125. ↑ Harwood, William (November 26, 2011). "Mars Science Laboratory begins cruise to red planet". Spaceflight Now. http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av028/.
126. ↑ 126.0 126.1 Way, David W.. ﻿Mars Science Laboratory: Entry, Descent, and Landing System Performance – System and Technology Challenges for Landing on the Earth, Moon, and Mars﻿ (Report). https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20090007730_2009006430.pdf.
127. ↑ Bacconi, Fabio (2006). "Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control". http://www.dsi.unifi.it/DRIIA/RaccoltaTesi/Bacconi.pdf.
128. ↑ "Status Report – Curiosity's Daily Update". NASA. August 6, 2012. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=1292.
129. ↑ 129.0 129.1 "The Mars Landing Approach: Getting Large Payloads to the Surface of the Red Planet". Universe Today. July 18, 2007. http://www.universetoday.com/2007/07/17/the-mars-landing-approach-getting-large-payloads-to-the-surface-of-the-red-planet/.
130. ↑ "Mission: Spacecraft". NASA. https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/spacecraft/.
131. ↑ 131.0 131.1 131.2 "Mission Timeline: Entry, Descent, and Landing". NASA and JPL. http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/tl_edl.html.
132. ↑ 132.0 132.1 Kipp, D.; San Martin, M.; Essmiller, J.; Way, D. (2007). "Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent, and Landing Triggers". 2007 IEEE Aerospace Conference. IEEE. pp. 1–10. doi:10.1109/AERO.2007.352825. ISBN 978-1-4244-0524-4.
133. ↑ Kerr, Dara (August 9, 2012). "Viewers opted for the Web over TV to watch Curiosity's landing". CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57489660-93/viewers-opted-for-the-web-over-tv-to-watch-curiositys-landing/.
134. ↑ Ellison, Doug. "MSL Sol 4 briefing". YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_FH6PByZeY.
135. ↑ "MSL – Guided Entry". JPL. NASA. 2011. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/technology/insituexploration/edl/guidedentry/.
136. ↑ Brugarolas, Paul B.; San Martin, A. Miguel; Wong, Edward C.. "The RCS Attitude Controller for the Exo-Atmospheric And Guided Entry Phases of the Mars Science Laboratory". Planetary Probe. http://www.planetaryprobe.eu/IPPW7/proceedings/IPPW7 Proceedings/Papers/Session5/p453.pdf. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
137. ↑ 137.0 137.1 137.2 137.3 137.4 137.5 137.6 137.7 "Curiosity relies on untried 'sky crane' for Mars descent". Spaceflight Now. July 31, 2012. http://spaceflightnow.com/mars/msl/120731skycrane/.
138. ↑ NASA, Large Heat Shield for Mars Science Laboratory , July 10, 2009 (Retrieved March 26, 2010)
139. ↑ 139.0 139.1 139.2 "Final Minutes of Curiosity's Arrival at Mars". NASA/JPL. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/gallery/pia13282.html.
140. ↑ 140.0 140.1 "Mars Science Laboratory Parachute Qualification Testing". NASA/JPL. http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews&NewsID=90.
141. ↑ "Mars Descent Imager (MARDI)". NASA/JPL. http://msl-scicorner.jpl.nasa.gov/Instruments/MARDI/.
142. ↑ Lakdawalla, Emily (August 6, 2012). "Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter HiRISE has done it again!!". NASA (Planetary Society). http://www.planetary.org/blogs/emily-lakdawalla/2012/08060824-hirise-curiosity-parachute.html.
143. ↑ "Aerojet Ships Propulsion for Mars Science Laboratory". Aerojet. http://aerojet.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=135.
144. ↑ Sky Crane – how to land Curiosity on the surface of Mars by Amal Shira Teitel.
145. ↑ Snider, MikeH (July 17, 2012). "Mars rover lands on Xbox Live". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/story/2012-07-16/nasa-mars-rover-game/56253212/1.
146. ↑ "Orbiter Images NASA's Martian Landscape Additions". NASA. August 8, 2012. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120807.html.
147. ↑ BotJunkie (June 2, 2007). "Mars Science Laboratory (Full)". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noy8o0lN1fE.
148. ↑ Webster, Guy; Brown, Dwayne (July 22, 2011). "NASA's Next Mars Rover To Land At Gale Crater". NASA JPL. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-222#1.
149. ↑ Chow, Dennis (July 22, 2011). "NASA's Next Mars Rover to Land at Huge Gale Crater". Space.com. http://www.space.com/12394-nasa-mars-rover-landing-site-unveiled.html.
150. ↑ NASA Staff (March 27, 2012). "'Mount Sharp' on Mars Compared to Three Big Mountains on Earth". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/multimedia/pia15292-Fig2.html.
151. ↑ NASA Staff (August 10, 2012). "Curiosity's Quad – IMAGE". NASA. http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/images/?ImageID=4408.
152. ↑ Agle, DC; Webster, Guy; Brown, Dwayne (August 9, 2012). "NASA's Curiosity Beams Back a Color 360 of Gale Crate". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120809.html.
153. ↑ Amos, Jonathan (August 9, 2012). "Mars rover makes first colour panorama". BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19201742.
154. ↑ Halvorson, Todd (August 9, 2012). "Quad 51: Name of Mars base evokes rich parallels on Earth". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/story/2012-08-09/mars-panorama-curiosity-quad-51/56922978/1.
155. ↑ "'Impressive' Curiosity landing only 1.5 miles off, NASA says". August 14, 2012. http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/10/us/mars-curiosity/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn.
156. ↑ 156.0 156.1 Brown, Dwayne; Cole, Steve; Webster, Guy; Agle, D.C. (August 22, 2012). "NASA Mars Rover Begins Driving at Bradbury Landing". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/aug/HQ_12-292_Mars_Bradbury_Landing.html.
157. ↑ Chang, Kenneth (October 5, 2015). "Mars Is Pretty Clean. Her Job at NASA Is to Keep It That Way.". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/science/mars-catharine-conley-nasa-planetary-protection-officer.html.

## Further reading

* M. K. Lockwood (2006). "Introduction: Mars Science Laboratory: The Next Generation of Mars Landers And The Following 13 articles". Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) 43 (2): 257. doi:10.2514/1.20678. Bibcode: 2006JSpRo..43..257L. http://pdf.aiaa.org/jaPreview/JSR/2006/PVJA20678.pdf. Retrieved November 13, 2006.
* Grotzinger, J. P.; Crisp, J.; Vasavada, A. R.; Anderson, R. C.; Baker, C. J.; Barry, R.; Blake, D. F.; Conrad, P. et al. (2012). "Mars Science Laboratory Mission and Science Investigation". Space Science Reviews 170 (1–4): 5–56. doi:10.1007/s11214-012-9892-2. Bibcode: 2012SSRv..170....5G. —overview article about the MSL, landing site, and instrumentation

## External links

* MSL Home Page
* Scientific Publications by MSL Team Members (PDF)
* MSL – Media Press Kit (November, 2011) (PDF)
* Image Gallery
* MSL – NASA/JPL News Channel Videos
* MSL – Entry, Descent & Landing (EDL) – Animated Video (02:00)
* MSL – NASA Updates – *REPLAY* Anytime (NASA-YouTube)
* MSL – "Curiosity Lands" (08/06/2012) – NASA/JPL – Video (03:40)
* Descent video sim&real/narrated, MSL real time/25fps, all/4fp, HiRise
* MSL – Landing ("7 Minutes of Terror")
* MSL – Landing Site – Gale Crater – Animated/Narrated Video (02:37)
* MSL – Mission Summary – Animated/Extended Video (11:20)
* MSL – "Curiosity Launch" (11/26/2011) – NASA/Kennedy – Video (04:00)
* MSL – NASA/JPL Virtual Tour – Rover
* MSL – Entry, Descent & Landing (EDL) – Timeline/ieee
* MSL – Entry, Descent & Landing (EDL) – Description. (PDF)
* MSL – Raw Images, Listing by JPL (official)

* v
* t
* e

Mars Science Laboratory

General|

* Curiosity rover
* Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory

Instruments|

* APXS
* ChemCam
* CheMin
* DAN
* DRT
* Hazcam
* MARDI
* MAHLI
* MastCam
* Navcam
* RAD
* REMS
* Robotic arm
* SAM

Features|

* MarsDial
* MMRTG
* Rocker-bogie

Sites|

* Mount Sharp (Aeolis Mons)
* Aeolis Palus
* Bradbury Landing
* Gale Crater
* Glenelg
* Peace Vallis
* Rocknest
* Yellowknife Bay

Rocks|

* Bathurst Inlet
* Coronation
* Goulburn
* Hottah
* Jake Matijevic
* Link
* Rocknest
* Rocknest 3
* Tintina

* Book
* Category

* v
* t
* e

Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory

Script error: No such module "Simple horizontal timeline".

Template:Mars rovers

* v
* t
* e

Spacecraft missions to Mars

Active missions|

| Orbiters|

* 2001 Mars Odyssey
* Mars Express (MEX)
* Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
* Mangalyaan (MOM)
* MAVEN
* ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO)

|

Landers|

* InSight

Rovers|

* Curiosity
* timeline

Past missions|

| Flybys|

* Mars 1†
* Mariner 4
* Zond 2†
* Mariner 6 and 7
* Mars 6
* Mars 7
* Rosetta
* Dawn
* Mars Cube One (MarCO)

|

Orbiters|

* Mars 2
* Mars 3
* Mariner 9
* Mars 4†
* Mars 5
* Viking program
* Viking 1
* Viking 2
* Phobos program
* Phobos 1†
* Phobos 2†
* Mars Observer†
* Mars Global Surveyor (MGS)
* Nozomi†
* Mars Climate Orbiter†

Landers|

* Mars 2†
* Mars 3†
* Mars 6†
* Mars 7†
* Viking 1
* Viking 2
* Mars Pathfinder
* Mars Polar Lander† / Deep Space 2†
* Beagle 2†
* Phoenix
* ExoMars Schiaparelli†

Rovers|

* Prop-M†
* Sojourner
* Spirit
* observations
* Opportunity
* timeline
* observations

Mars-crossing objects|

* Zond 3
* Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster

Failed launches|

* Mars 1M No.1
* 1M No.2
* 2MV-4 No.1
* 2MV-3 No.1
* Mariner 3
* Mars 2M No.521
* 2M No.522
* Mariner 8
* Mars 3MS No.170
* Mars 96
* Fobos-Grunt / Yinghuo-1

Future missions|

| Planned|

* Hope Mars Mission (2020)
* ExoMars (2020)
* Rosalind Franklin rover
* Kazachok lander
* Mars 2020 (2020)
* Mars Helicopter Scout
* HX-1 (2020)
* Mars Orbiter Mission 2 (2022 or 2023)
* Psyche (2022, flyby in 2023)
* Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) (2022, flyby in 2025)
* Tera-hertz Explorer (TEREX) (2022 lander, 2024 orbiter)
* SatRevolution (2022)
* Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) (2024)

|

Proposed|

* Biological Oxidant and Life Detection (BOLD)
* SpaceX base
* DePhine
* Icebreaker Life
* Mars Geyser Hopper
* Mars-Grunt
* Mars Micro Orbiter‎
* MELOS rover
* MetNet
* Next Mars Orbiter (NeMO)
* PADME
* Phootprint
* Sky-Sailor

Cancelled proposals|

* Aerial Regional-scale Environmental Survey (ARES)
* Astrobiology Field Laboratory
* Beagle 3
* Mars 4NM & 5NM
* Mars 5M (Mars-79)
* Mars-Aster
* Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher (MAX-C)
* Mars One
* Mars Surveyor Lander
* Mars Telecommunications Orbiter
* NetLander
* Northern Light
* Red Dragon
* Sample Collection for Investigation of Mars (SCIM)
* Vesta
* Voyager Mars

Exploration of Mars|

| Concepts|

* Flyby
* Orbiter
* Landing
* Rover
* Sample return
* Human mission
* Permanent settlement
* Colonization
* Terraforming

|

Strategies|

* Mars Scout Program
* Mars Exploration Program
* Mars Exploration Joint Initiative
* Mars Next Generation

Advocacy|

* The Mars Project
* The Case for Mars
* Inspiration Mars
* Mars Institute
* Mars Society
* Mars race

Lists|

* List of missions to Mars
* List of Mars orbiters
* List of artificial objects on Mars

Missions are ordered by launch date. Sign † indicates failure en route or before intended mission data returned.

* v
* t
* e

NASA

Policy and history|

| History|

* NACA (1915)
* National Aeronautics and Space Act (1958)
* Space Task Group (1958)
* Paine (1986)
* Rogers (1986)
* Ride (1987)
* Space Exploration Initiative (1989)
* Augustine (1990)
* U.S. National Space Policy (1996)
* CFUSAI (2002)
* CAIB (2003)
* Vision for Space Exploration (2004)
* Aldridge (2004)
* Augustine (2009)

|

General|

* Space Race
* Administrator and Deputy Administrator
* Chief Scientist
* Astronaut Corps
* Ranks and positions
* Chief
* Budget
* Spin-off technologies
* NASA TV
* NASA Social
* Launch Services Program
* Mercury Control Center
* Kennedy Space Center
* Vehicle Assembly Building
* Launch Complex 39
* Launch Control Center
* Operations and Checkout Building
* Johnson Space Center
* Mission Control
* Lunar Sample Laboratory

Robotic programs|

| Past|

* Hitchhiker
* Mariner
* Mariner Mark II
* MESUR
* Mars Surveyor '98
* New Millennium
* Lunar Orbiter
* Pioneer
* Planetary Observer
* Ranger
* Surveyor
* Viking
* Project Prometheus
* Mars Scout
* Mars Exploration Rover

|

Current|

* Living With a Star
* Lunar Precursor Robotic Program
* Earth Observing System
* Great Observatories program
* Explorer
* Small explorer
* Voyager
* Discovery
* New Frontiers
* Solar Terrestrial Probes
* Commercial Lunar Payload Services

Human spaceflight
programs|

| Past|

* X-15 (suborbital)
* Mercury
* Gemini
* Apollo
* Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (with the Soviet space program)
* Skylab
* Space Shuttle
* Shuttle–Mir (with Roscosmos State Corporation)
* Constellation

|

Current|

* International Space Station
* Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
* Commercial Crew Development
* Orion
* Artemis
* Lunar Gateway

Individual featured
missions
(human and robotic)|

| Past|

* COBE
* Mercury 3
* Mercury-Atlas 6
* Magellan
* Pioneer 10
* Pioneer 11
* Galileo
* GALEX
* GRAIL
* WMAP
* Space Shuttle
* Sojourner rover
* Spirit rover
* LADEE
* MESSENGER
* Aquarius
* Cassini
* Dawn
* Kepler space telescope
* Opportunity rover
* RHESSI
* observed

|

Currently
operating|

* Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
* 2001 Mars Odyssey
* New Horizons
* International Space Station
* Hubble Space Telescope
* Spitzer
* Swift
* THEMIS
* Mars Exploration Rover
* Curiosity rover
* timeline
* InSight
* GOES 14
* Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
* GOES 15
* Van Allen Probes
* Solar Dynamics Observatory
* Juno
* Mars Science Laboratory
* timeline
* NuSTAR
* Voyager 1
* Voyager 2
* WISE
* MAVEN
* MMS
* OSIRIS-REx
* Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite

Future|

* Joint Polar Satellite System
* James Webb Space Telescope
* Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope
* Mars 2020
* NISAR
* Europa Clipper

Communications
and navigation|

* Near Earth Network
* Space Network
* Deep Space Network (Goldstone
* Madrid
* Canberra
* Space Flight Operations Facility)
* Deep Space Atomic Clock

NASA lists|

* Astronauts
* by name
* by year
* Gemini astronauts
* Apollo astronauts
* List of NASA aircraft
* List of NASA missions
* uncrewed missions
* List of NASA contractors
* List of United States rockets
* List of NASA cancellations
* List of Space Shuttle missions
* crews
* List of NASA cameras on spacecraft

NASA images
and artwork|

* Earthrise
* The Blue Marble
* Family Portrait
* Pale Blue Dot
* Pillars of Creation
* Mystic Mountain
* Solar System Family Portrait
* The Day the Earth Smiled
* Fallen Astronaut
* Lunar plaques
* Pioneer plaques
* Voyager Golden Record
* Apollo 11 goodwill messages
* NASA insignia
* Gemini and Apollo medallions
* Mission patches

Related|

* Apollo 15 postal covers incident
* Space Mirror Memorial
* The Astronaut Monument
* U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
* Space program on U.S. stamps
* Apollo 17 Moon mice
* Other primates in space
* NASA spinoff technologies

* Category

* v
* t
* e

21st-century space probes

Active space probes
(deep space missions)|

| Moon|

* ARTEMIS
* Chandrayaan-2
* Chang'e 3
* Chang'e 4 (Yutu-2)
* Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

|

Mars|

* ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

Venus|

* Akatsuki

Minor planet|

* Chang'e 2
* Hayabusa2 / MINERVA-II
* New Horizons
* OSIRIS-REx

Solar science|

* ACE
* DSCOVR
* Parker Solar Probe
* SOHO
* STEREO
* Wind

Others|

* BepiColombo
* Gaia
* Juno
* THEMIS
* Voyager 1
* Voyager 2

Completed after 2000
(by termination date)|

| 2000s|

* 2001
* NEAR Shoemaker
* Deep Space 1
* 2003
* Pioneer 10
* Galileo
* Nozomi
* 2004
* Genesis
* 2005
* Huygens
* 2006
* Mars Global Surveyor
* 2008
* Phoenix
* 2009
* Chang'e 1
* Ulysses
* Chandrayaan-1
* SELENE
* LCROSS

|

2010s|

* 2010
* Hayabusa
* MER Spirit
* 2011
* Stardust
* 2012
* GRAIL
* 2013
* Deep Impact
* 2014
* LADEE
* Venus Express
* Chang'e 5-T1
* 2015
* MESSENGER
* PROCYON
* IKAROS
* 2016
* Rosetta / Philae
* Yutu
* ExoMars Schiaparelli
* 2017
* LISA Pathfinder
* Cassini
* 2018
* MASCOT
* Dawn
* Longjiang-1
* 2019
* MarCO
* MER Opportunity
* Beresheet
* Longjiang-2
* Vikram / Pragyan

* List of Solar System probes
* List of lunar probes
* List of space telescopes

* v
* t
* e

Astrobiology

Disciplines|

* Astrochemistry
* Astrophysics
* Atmospheric sciences
* Biochemistry
* Evolutionary biology
* Exoplanetology
* Geomicrobiology
* Microbiology
* Paleontology
* Planetary science

Main topics|

* Abiogenesis
* Allan Hills 84001
* Biomolecule
* Biosignature
* Drake equation
* Earliest known life forms
* Earth analog
* Extraterrestrial life
* Extraterrestrial sample curation
* Extremophiles
* Hypothetical types of biochemistry
* List of microorganisms tested in outer space
* Molecules detected in outer space
* Ocean planet
* Origin of life
* Panspermia
* Planetary protection
* Search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI)
* Yamato meteorite

Planetary
habitability|

* Habitability of binary star systems
* Habitability of K-type main-sequence star systems
* Habitability of natural satellites
* Habitability of red dwarf systems
* Circumstellar habitable zone
* Earth analog
* List of potentially habitable exoplanets
* Tholin
* Extraterrestrial liquid water
* Galactic habitable zone
* Superhabitable planet

Space
missions|

| Earth orbit|

* BIO
* BIOCORE
* Biolab
* Bion
* BIOPAN
* Biosatellite program
* E-MIST
* ERA
* CROPIS
* EXOSTACK
* EXPOSE
* Lunar Micro Ecosystem
* O/OREOS
* OREOcube
* Tanpopo
* VEGGIE

|

Mars|

* Beagle 2
* ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
* Fobos-Grunt
* Mars Science Laboratory
* Curiosity
* Phoenix
* Viking

Comets and
asteroids|

* Hayabusa2
* OSIRIS-REx
* Rosetta

Planned|

* BioSentinel
* Dragonfly
* Europa Clipper
* ExoMars
* Rosalind Franklin rover
* Kazachock lander
* Mars 2020 rover
* HX-1

Proposed|

* CAESAR
* Enceladus Explorer
* Enceladus Life Finder‎
* Enceladus Life Signatures and Habitability
* Europa Lander
* ExoLance
* Explorer of Enceladus and Titan
* Icebreaker Life
* Journey to Enceladus and Titan
* Laplace-P
* Life Investigation For Enceladus
* Mars sample return mission
* Oceanus
* THEO
* Trident

Cancelled and
undeveloped|

* Astrobiology Field Laboratory
* Beagle 3
* Biological Oxidant and Life Detection
* Living Interplanetary Flight Experiment
* Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher
* MELOS
* Northern Light
* Red Dragon
* Terrestrial Planet Finder

Institutions
and programs|

* Astrobiology Society of Britain
* Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets
* Breakthrough Initiatives
* Breakthrough Listen
* Breakthrough Message
* Breakthrough Starshot
* Carl Sagan Institute
* Center for Life Detection Science
* European Astrobiology Network Association
* NASA Astrobiology Institute
* Nexus for Exoplanet System Science
* Ocean Worlds Exploration Program
* Spanish Astrobiology Center‎

* Category
* Commons
* Portal: Astronomy
* Biology

* v
* t
* e

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Current missions|

* ACRIMSAT
* ASTER
* Atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS)
* Deep Space Atomic Clock
* GRACE-FO
* InSight
* Juno
* Keck observatory
* Large Binocular Telescope (LBT)
* Mars Odyssey
* Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
* Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)
* Microwave limb sounder (MLS)
* Multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR)
* Spitzer Space Telescope
* Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES)
* Voyager program
* Voyager 1
* Voyager 2

Planned|

* Mars 2020 rover
* Psyche
* Euclid
* Europa Clipper
* Lunar Flashlight
* NEA Scout
* SPHEREx
* SWOT
* WFIRST

Proposed|

* Europa Lander
* FINESSE

Past|

* Cassini-Huygens
* Dawn
* Deep Impact
* Deep Space 1
* Deep Space 2
* Explorers
* GALEX
* Galileo
* Genesis
* GRACE
* Herschel
* IRAS
* Jason-1
* Kepler
* Magellan
* Mariner
* Mars Climate Orbiter
* Mars Cube One (MarCO)
* Mars Observer
* Mars Pathfinder
* Mars Polar Lander
* Mars Global Surveyor
* Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
* NSCAT
* Phoenix
* Pioneer
* QuikSCAT
* Ranger
* Rosetta
* Seasat
* Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM)
* Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME)
* Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR)
* Stardust
* Surveyor
* SVLBI
* TOPEX/Poseidon
* Ulysses
* Viking
* Wide Field and Planetary Camera (WFPC)
* Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE)

Cancelled missions|

* Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL)
* Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher (MAX-C)

Related organizations|

* NASA
* Caltech
* NASA Deep Space Network
* Goldstone Complex
* Table Mountain Observatory
* Solar System Ambassadors

* Jet Propulsion Laboratory Science Division
* Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking
* Space Flight Operations Facility

* v
* t
* e

Orbital launches in 2011

Elektro-L No.1 | USA-224 | Kounotori 2 | Progress M-09M (Kedr) | Kosmos 2470 | USA-225 | Johannes Kepler ATV | STS-133 (Leonardo) | Kosmos 2471 | Glory * Explorer-1 [Prime] * KySat-1 * Hermes | USA-226 | USA-227 | Soyuz TMA-21 | Compass-IGSO3 | USA-229 | Resourcesat-2 * YouthSat * X-Sat | Yahsat 1A * New Dawn | Progress M-10M | Meridian 4 | USA-230 | STS-134 (AMS-02 * ELC-3) | Telstar 14R | ST-2 * GSAT-8 / INSAT-4G | Soyuz TMA-02M | SAC-D | Rasad 1 | ChinaSat 10 | Progress M-11M | Kosmos 2472 | USA-231 | Shijian XI-03 | STS-135 (Raffaello * PSSC-2) | Tianlian I-02 | Globalstar M083 * Globalstar M088 * Globalstar M091 * Globalstar M085 * Globalstar M081 * Globalstar M089 | GSAT-12 | SES-3 * KazSat-2 | USA-232 | Spektr-R | Compass-IGSO4 | Shijian XI-02 | Juno | Astra 1N * BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R | Paksat-1R | Hai Yang 2A | Sich 2 * NigeriaSat-2 * NigeriaSat-X * RASAT * EduSAT * AprizeSat-5 * AprizeSat-6 * BPA-2 | Ekspress-AM4 | Shijian XI-04 | Progress M-12M | GRAIL-A * GRAIL-B | Zhongxing-1A | Kosmos 2473 | Arabsat 5C * SES-2 | IGS Optical 4 | Atlantic Bird 7 | TacSat-4 | Tiangong-1 | QuetzSat 1 | Kosmos 2474 | Intelsat 18 | Eutelsat W3C | Megha-Tropiques * SRMSAT * VesselSat-1 * Jugnu | ViaSat-1 | Thijs * Natalia | NPP * E1P-U2 * RAX-2 * M-Cubed * DICE-1 * DICE-2 * AubieSat-1 | Progress M-13M (Chibis-M) | Shenzhou 8 | Kosmos 2475 * Kosmos 2476 * Kosmos 2477 | Fobos-Grunt * Yinghuo-1 | Yaogan 12 * Tian Xun-1| Soyuz TMA-22 | Shiyan Weixing 4 * Chuang Xin 1C | AsiaSat 7 | Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) | Kosmos 2478 | Yaogan 13 | Compass-IGSO5 | Amos-5 * Luch 5A | IGS Radar 3 | Pléiades-HR 1A * SSOT * ELISA 1 * ELISA 2 * ELISA 3 * ELISA 4 | NigComSat-1R | Soyuz TMA-03M | Ziyuan-1C | Meridian 5 | Globalstar M080 * Globalstar M082 * Globalstar M084 * Globalstar M086 * Globalstar M090 * Globalstar M092

Payloads are separated by bullets ( * ), launches by pipes ( | ). Crewed flights are indicated in bold text. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in italics. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in (brackets).

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Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars Science Laboratory. Read more

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