NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission will land the “mega-rover” Curiosity-the largest mobile spacecraft ever launched to another planet-on Sunday, August 5. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is hosting an event for this historic moment in space exploration. Visitors are invited to join the Museum’s Mars scientist, Dr. Steve Lee, and experts from Lockheed Martin, Sierra Nevada Corporation, United Launch Alliance, Southwest Research Institute, the Space Science Institute, and the Museum to learn about this ambitious mission and what’s in store for the new rover.
During its two-year mission, Curiosity will analyze dozens of samples drilled from rocks or scooped from the ground using an extensive payload of scientific gear. Curiosity is about twice the size and five times as heavy as the extremely successful twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which have been on the Red Planet since early 2004. Curiosity’s target is the base of Mount Sharp, a mountain of layered rocks rising 18,000 feet above the floor of Gale Crater. Observations of this region from orbit by earlier Mars missions indicate liquid water was present here at some point in the past. Curiosity is expected to assess whether the crater has ever had or still has environmental conditions favorable for supporting microbial life.
Curiosity Landing Event- /learn/adults/after-hours/curiosity-landing-event/