A model of the Mars rover "Curiosity" is tested for turns at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, March 10, 2011, in Pasadena, California. NASA's Mars Science Laboratory is preparing to land Curiosity on the Mars surface; launch is scheduled between November 25 and December 18, 2011. A model of the Mars rover "Curiosity" is tested for turns at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, March 10, 2011, in Pasadena, California. Photo: Gary sNASA's newest Mars rover — or a replica of it, anyway — sat expectantly at the bottom of a hill. After years in design and construction, the grandly named Mars Science Laboratory was ready to test its wheels on a 20-degree flagstone slope in the "Mars Yard" at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge, California.
Engineers crowded around to see whether the rover's aluminum wheels and titanium suspension were ready for Martian terrain, which varies from bedrock to rocky soil to soft sand. The first wheel slowly pivoted into position. Then another. Then a third, fourth, fifth and sixth — all making a crinkly sound as they slid through the soil. Once in position, the craft crept up the flagstone slope at about 8 feet (2.4 metres) per minute.
"This is actually really exciting," said Savannah McCoy, one of the engineers observing the trial run.
Graphic. Photo: MCT
But not as exciting as what awaits. Toward year's end, NASA plans to send its $US1.8 billion rover to scout for evidence that life could have existed on the Red Planet. Nicknamed Curiosity, the craft will examine rocks that scientists believe could have formed only in warm, wet conditions that may have harbored living beings.
The product of almost 10 years of work by 1000 people, Curiosity has all the ingredients of a scientific triumph.
If only another rover wasn't poised to steal its thunder.
Savannah McCoy tests a model of the Mars rover "Curiosity" at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, March 10, 2011, in Pasadena, California.
Mar Rover: Southern California During Early testing stage, June 2011...