Curiosity on Mars

Curiosity will be the fourth rover to roam Mars, and the largest. Carrying a much heavier payload than previous rovers will require a rocket-powered descent onto Mars surface. Curiositys primary mission will be to analyze rock and soil to determine Mars past or present potential to support microbial life.

Entry craft

Landing
After traveling about 354 million mi. (55 million km) by next August, Curiosity will undergo a powered descent into Mars Gale crater using a system called a sky crane
Diagrams not to scale

1 1
Entry craft slows its descent using a parachute

The Rover
ChemCam Uses a laser to vaporize rock layers and soil up to 23 ft. (7 m) away MastCam Makes high-resolution color images of the surroundings Contact tools Examine and collect samples of rock and soil

SAM and CheMin Check composition of rock powder and soil RAD Measures radiation

2 Its heat shield falls away; radar starts measuring altitude and velocity, and the rover starts photographing the planet surface
Power unit Nuclear generator DAN Probes for subsurface hydrogen

Heat shield

Entry craft

3
Sky crane, with the rover attached, separates from the entry craft

Sky crane

Weather station

3
Rover Sky crane

4
Tethers Rover 66 ft. (20.1 m)

4
Rover is lowered with tethers from sky crane

7.2 ft. (2.2 m)

9 ft. (2.7 m)

Wheels steered independently and can roll over obstacles up to 25 in. (63.5 cm) high

5 Rover touches surface and crane cuts loose; crane flies away from landing site and crashes

Curiosity
Mission Launches Nov.Dec. Duration One year roving or more Weight 1,982 lb. (899 kg)
2011 MCT

Size comparison

Sojourner

Mission 1996-97 Weight 25 lb. (11 kg)

Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, NASA

Mars Exploration Rovers

Mission 2003 to present Weight 384 lb. (174 kg)

Graphic: Julie Sheer, Raoul Ranoa, Los Angeles Times