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This study provides the first systematic comparison of orbital facies maps with detailed ground-based geology observations from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover to examine the validity of geologic interpretations derived from orbital image data. Orbital facies maps were constructed for the Darwin, Cooperstown, and Kimberley waypoints visited by the Curiosity rover using High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images. These maps, which represent the most detailed orbital analysis of these areas to date, were compared with rover image-based geologic maps and stratigraphic columns derived from Curiosity's Mast Camera (Mastcam) and Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI). Results show that bedrock outcrops can generally be distinguished from unconsolidated surficial deposits in high-resolution orbital images and that orbital facies mapping can be used to recognize geologic contacts between well-exposed bedrock units. However, process-based interpretations derived from orbital image mapping are difficult to infer without known regional context or observable paleogeomorphic indicators, and layer-cake models of stratigraphy derived from orbital maps oversimplify depositional relationships as revealed from a rover perspective. This study also shows that fine-scale orbital image-based mapping of current and future Mars landing sites is essential for optimizing the efficiency and science return of rover surface operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical modeling results from the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System are used to interpret the landed meteorological data from the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station onboard the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity. In order to characterize seasonal changes throughout the Martian year, simulations are conducted at Ls 0, 90, 180 and 270. Two additional simulations at Ls 225 and 315 are explored to better understand the unique meteorological setting centered on Ls 270. The synergistic combination of model and observations reveals a complex meteorological environment within the crater. Seasonal planetary circulations, the thermal tide, slope flows along the topographic dichotomy, mesoscale waves, slope flows along the crater slopes and Mt. Sharp, and turbulent motions all interact in nonlinear ways to produce the observed weather. Ls 270 is shown to be an anomalous season when air within and outside the crater is well mixed by strong, flushing northerly flow and large amplitude, breaking mountain waves. At other seasons, the air in the crater is more isolated from the surrounding environment. The potential impact of the partially isolated crater air mass on the dust, water, noncondensable and methane cycles is also considered. In contrast to previous studies, the large amplitude diurnal pressure signal is attributed primarily to necessary hydrostatic adjustments associated with topography of different elevations, with contributions of less than 25% to the diurnal amplitude from the crater circulation itself. The crater circulation is shown to induce a suppressed boundary layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 6 August 2012, the Curiosity rover successfully touched down on the Martian surface setting off the most ambitious surface exploration of this planetary body. Preceding this significant step were years of design, development, and testing of the Curiosity Entry, Descent, and Landing system to prepare for the most complex landing endeavor ever attempted at Mars. To address the numerous challenges, the approach and implementation of the overall Entry, Descent, and Landing verification and validation program relied on its decomposition into three distinct domains: flight dynamics, flight system and subsystem verification and validation. The test and analysis scope, the venues, and the processes utilized were tailored to each of these domains, and are discussed in greater detail. The overall lessons learned and conclusions described herein can serve as a pathfinder for the Entry, Descent, and Landing system testing approach and implementation of future Mars landed missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 5 August 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory entry vehicle successfully entered Mars's atmosphere and landed the Curiosity rover on its surface. The entry vehicle carried a system of heat shield instrumentation that measured the aerodynamic and aerothermal environment during entry. Included in these sensors were seven pressure transducers linked to ports across the entry vehicle forebody that recorded the local surface pressures during entry. These measured surface pressures were used to generate estimates of atmospheric quantities based on computationally modeled surface pressure distributions. Angle of attack, angle of sideslip, dynamic pressure, Mach number, atmospheric conditions, and vehicle aerodynamics were reconstructed from the measured pressures. Three data reduction algorithms using subsets of the available data were used to assess data quality and interpret the entry performance. A Kalman filter algorithm was used to combine all available data for a final, complete reconstruction. The reconstruction results indicate that the data quality was good, and aerodynamic performance was within the uncertainties of preflight models. The three independent reconstructions are in overall good agreement, with several small anomalies that were reconciled using reasonable corrections within known sources of error. The combined Kalman filter reconstruction identified winds that are reasonable compared with preflight atmospheric models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mars Science Laboratory, also called Curiosity, is a rover mission that launched on 26 November 2011 and landed on Mars 6 August 2012 in Gale Crater. The main challenges for the interplanetary navigation of the mission were to deliver the spacecraft to the correct interface point above the atmosphere of Mars and to accurately tell the spacecraft where it was as it entered the atmosphere. The spacecraft used guidance during its descent to Mars before the deployment of the parachute in order to minimize landing dispersions, resulting in a smaller landing zone that was closer to terrain of high scientific interest. This required an accurate delivery of the spacecraft to the entry interface and an update of the spacecraft state at entry, which was used to initialize the descent guidance system. Orbit determination during cruise was very accurate, being able to predict the line-of-sight position of the spacecraft after one week to within a few meters during the final weeks of approach. The spacecraft hit the top of the Martian atmosphere just 200 m from where it had been predicted to enter more than six days earlier, when it was still 2.6 million km away from Mars. This excellent level of accuracy was achieved by a combination of factors, including spacecraft characteristics, tracking data processing, dynamical modeling choices, and navigation filter setup. The accurate interplanetary navigation contributed to the very precise landing performance and to the overall success of the mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the Curiosity Mars Rover which is exploring Gale Crater on Mars. The rover landed in August 2012 and its mission is to probe a history of water on early Mars. According to some geologists, early Mars had intermittent rain, which is supported by the findings of the Opportunity rover and its twin rover Spirit.

The article announces that the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) spacecraft Curiosity rover has detected carbon molecules on Mars. Topics include how the organic macromolecules resemble kerogen, the rover's time spent in the Gale crater, and the upcoming launch of Europe's ExoMars rover in 2020.

The article discusses punctures in the aluminum wheels of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Curiosity rover from sharp rocks on planet Mars that is threatening the mission. Topics include Curiosity project scientist John Grotzinger of the California Institute of Technology, Curiosity's exploration of the Gale Crater, rerouting efforts, and research by engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on ways to reduce wear and tear on the wheels.

The article focuses on robotics specialist Vandi Verma who is responsible for driving the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Curiosity space rover on Mars. It states that she graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2005 and became a research scientist at the Ames Research Center before moving to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory which is the command center for rover missions on Mars. It mentions she is researching ways of increasing the decision-making autonomy of rovers.

The article focuses on the European Space Agency (ESA) mission to map methane sources as a precursor to send rover which will look for Martian life. It states that the Mars rover Curiosity team performed four tests with the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS), the rover instrument with an essential role in looking for the gas. It says that the orbiter will map the global distribution of gases through the light reflected from the Martian surface.

The article presents information on the safe landing of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Spacecraft Curiosity on Mars on 5 August 2012. It informs that Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity has the size of a car and was far too heavy to land on Mars using airbags to cushion its fall.