NASA's Mars Science Laboratory is the most complex and largest scientific instrument
sent to land on the surface of our closest planetary neighbor.
Known better by the name "Curiosity," the robotic vehicle is as big as a car and outfitted
to act as a remote geologist millions of miles from home.
"3. 2. 1. Main engine start. Zero. And liftoff of the Atlas V with Curiosity.”
Curiosity launched on November 26, 2011, aboard the largest model of an Atlas V rocket from
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
It took 10 months to traverse the space between Earth and Mars. As it neared the Red Planet,
Curiosity remained housed in a protective shield for the plunge through the atmosphere.
Once through, a "skycrane" robot fired its thrusters to lower Curiosity to the ground
in one of the most daring landings accomplished by a space program.
Since touching down on Mars on August 6, 2012, Curiosity has sampled rocks and soil, collected
countless photos and driven itself around the notable parts of Gale Crater - all in
an effort to show scientists on Earth unknown elements of Mars.