The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) has landed safely on Mars, and it has begun its primary scientific job – to assess whether life ever existed on Mars, or whether it still does exist there.
The robotic rover, Curiosity, pictured here on the right, will travel over the surface, carrying out a number of experiments. The mission is part of NASA’s long term Mars Exploration Programme, using robots to explore the Red Planet.
Scientists believe the MSL is a huge step forward in Martian exploration because it demonstrates NASA’s ability to land a very heavy rover on the surface, and helps pave the way for planned future manned mission.
LISTEN: Interview with Dr Paul Callanan (Astronomer and Physicist based at University College Cork).
This interview was broadcast on 2nd August 2012 on Science Spinning on 103.2 Dublin City FM
Looking forward to the next 2 years of the mission, regardless what life it finds I know it will be amazing information.