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Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), Curiosity

Originally scheduled to be launched in December 2009 and land on Mars in October 2010, this spacecraft has been delayed to the 2011/2012 apparition of Mars. It was successfully launched on November 26, 2011, with an Atlas 5 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. It is currently in interplanetary cruise, and is scheduled for arrival in on August 6, 2012. Its purpose is to perform a 2-year science mission on the surface of Mars. This spacecraft is a sophisticated lander-rover mission for advanced studies on the Martian surface.

This spacecraft includes the use of new technologies: A small long-range, long-duration rover, powered by a small nuclear reactor, equipped to perform many scientific studies of Mars, and to demonstrate the technology for accurate landing and hazard avoidance in order to travel to difficult-to-reach sites.

During its interplanetary cruise, several Trajectory Correction Maneuvers (TCMs) are planned to adjust its orbit to the acurate, optimal trajectory. Originally, scheduled were TCM No. 1 around December 11, 2011, TCM No. 2 around March 25, 2011, TCM No. 3 around June 7, 2011. Final landing site selection is scheduled for April 12 or 13, 2011, and landing is scheduled for August 6, 2012. TCM No. 1 was successfully performed on January 11, 2012, TCM No. 2 on March 26, 2012.

Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity mission page (Nasa)
MSL homepage and MSL news (JPL)
2009 Mars Science Laboratory mission (JPL)
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Acquisition Program (LARC)

Hartmut Frommert [contact]

Last Modification: March 28, 2012