CURIOSITY Antoine Henderson Fiona Ward

Launch and Landing  Launched:  November 26, 2011  Cape Canaveral, Florida  Landed: August 6, 2012  August 6, 2012  Aeolis Palus, Gale Crater

Objectives  Biological  Determine the nature and inventory of organic carbon compounds.  Inventory the chemical building blocks of life. Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorous, Sulfur  Identify features that may represent the effects of biological processes.  Geological and Geochemical  Investigate the chemical, isotopic, and mineralogical composition of the Martian surface and near-surface geological materials.  Interpret the processes that have formed and modified rocks and soils.

Objectives  Planetary Processes  Assess long-timescale atmospheric evolution processes.  Determine present state, distribution, and cycling of water and carbon dioxide.  Surface Radiation  Characterize the broad spectrum of surface radiation, including galactic cosmic radiation, solar proton events, and secondary neutrons.

Goals  Determine Possibility of Ancient Life on Mars  Conditions Needed for Life to Thrive  Looking for Life Signs  Characterize the Climate of Mars  What's the Martian Climate Like Today?  What Can the Current Climate on Mars Reveal about the Past?  Characterize the Geology of Mars  The Magnetism of Mars Gives Clues to the Planet's Interior and More  Rocks on Mars Can Tell Us About the Planet's History and Its Potential for Harboring Life  Prepare for Human Exploration  Astronaut Safety in the Hostile Martian Environment  Robotic Spacecraft Will Pave the Way for Human Exploration of Mars

Technology  Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)  Mass: 899kg  2.9m x 2.7m x 2.2m  Power Source: Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG)  Computers: Rover Computer Element (RCE)  Robotic arm  Communications: X band transmitter and receiver, UHF Electra-Lite software-defined radio  Mobility: Rocker-Bogie system  17 cameras:  HazCams (8), NavCams (4), MastCams (2), MAHLI (1), MARDI (1), and ChemCam (1).

Accomplishments  Atmospheric Composition  Mars has no traces of Methane.  Rock Samples  Discovery of Streambed Gravel Evidence of Flowing Water  Curiosity Identifies Traces of: Sulfur Nitrogen Hydrogen Oxygen Phosphorous Carbon Ancient Streambed