PIA13162: Critical Step in Next Mars Rover Landing (Artist Concept)
 Mission:  Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)
 Spacecraft:  Curiosity
 Product Size:  1280 x 720 pixels (w x h)
 Produced By:  JPL
 Other  
Information: 
JPL News Release 2010-171
 Full-Res TIFF:  PIA13162.tif (2.768 MB)
 Full-Res JPEG:  PIA13162.jpg (25.16 kB)

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Original Caption Released with Image:

animation for PIA13162
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This artist's concept from an animation depicts Curiosity, the rover to be launched in 2011 by NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, as it is being lowered by the mission's rocket-powered descent stage during a critical moment of the "sky crane" landing in 2012.

The Mars Science Laboratory mission is in assembly and testing for launch in autumn 2011 and delivering a rover named Curiosity to Mars in summer 2012.

Image Credit:
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Image Addition Date:
2010-05-26