Skip to main content
Tags: mars | rover | curiosity

Mars Rover Curiosity Sets Out on Slow Journey

Mars Rover Curiosity Sets Out on Slow Journey
(AP)

By    |   Tuesday, 09 July 2013 11:04 AM EDT

The Mars rover Curiosity has been given its first major mission — to explore the Red Planet's Mount Sharp — but it will take the vehicle up to a year to even reach its base.

Curiosity traveled some 20 yards on Friday and cleared another 45 yards on Monday on its torturously slow way toward its destination, Discovery News reports.

NASA's Mars rover landed Aug. 5 and has covered 1,000 yards so far. In the last seven months, Curiosity has explored an area known as Yellowknife Bay, revealing geographical features such as an ancient river bed. That conclusion was based on minerals found in the bay that were formed in liquid.

That discovery delayed Curiosity's journey to Mount Sharp still further.

NASA sees Mount Sharp — also know as Aeolis Mons — as an "open book" into Mars' history. The agency hopes to gather copious amounts information on life that has existed on the planet.

Curiosity has the ability to drill and burn holes into rock samples as well as analyze the vapor it makes. It also is able to store samples in the onboard laboratory.

Curiosity follows the rover Opportunity. In its 10 years on Mars, Opportunity has covered a little more than 22 miles.



© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

SciTech
NASA's new Mars rover Curiosity has been given it's first major mission to explore the Red Planet's Mount Sharp - but it will take the vehicle up to a year even to reach its base.
mars,rover,curiosity
203
2013-04-09
Tuesday, 09 July 2013 11:04 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved