Curiosity

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Scientist and Assistant Professor Bethany Ehlmann with the California Institute of Technology and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, answers a question More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During a tour of the Radiological Control Center (RADCC) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the media listen as Ryan Bechtel of the U.S. Department of Energy explains More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, several scientists and researchers participate in a “Looking for Signs of Life in the Universe” news conference, Nov. 22, as part of preflight a More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – John Grotzinger, project scientist for Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., demonstrates the operation of MSL's rover, Curiosity, d More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is host to a Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) science briefing as part of preflight activities for the MSL mission. From left, NASA Public Affairs Offi More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, several scientists and researchers participate in a “Looking for Signs of Life in the Universe” news conference, Nov. 22, as part of preflight a More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – LEGO blocks are spread out on the floor of an exhibition hall at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida for easy access during the LEGO "Build the Future" event. The fest More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – LEGO NXT robots, designed to look like Mars rovers, are on display at the LEGO "Build the Future" event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The festivities coincid More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Families visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida participate in a LEGO "Build the Future" event. The festivities coincide with the launch of NASA's Mars Science L More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Parents and children of all ages participate in a LEGO "Build the Future" event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The festivities coincide with the launch of NASA More

Right-eye view of NASA Curiosity rover and its powered descent vehicle pose for photographs prior to being integrated for launch at JPL Spacecraft Assembly Facility. NASA/JPL-Caltech

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – David Blake, NASA principal investigator for the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) investigation by the Curiosity rover, demonstrates the experiment for the media in NASA Kennedy Space Ce More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket seems surrounded by lightning masts as it arrives at the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the payload fairing protecting NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) stands atop the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, w More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41. Atop the rocket is NASA's Mars More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Ryan Bechtel, from the Department of Energy, speaks to a group of Tweetup participants at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Ma More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, members of the media gather near the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 to document the arrival of the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alli More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The NASA and Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) logos appear above the American flag and Atlas logo on the payload fairing atop the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Enclos More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Backdropped by the Atlantic Ocean, the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls toward the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in F More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The NASA and Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) logos appear above the American flag and Atlas logo on the payload fairing atop the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Enclos More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education; Clara Ma, student, NASA contest winner for naming Curiosity, Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kansas; Scott An More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Ashwin Vasavada, deputy project scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, speaks to a group of Tweetup participants at NASA Kennedy Space Center More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the payload fairing protecting NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) stands atop the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket du More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, lightning masts protect the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket as it leaves behind the safety of the Vertical Integration More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An educational news conference to explore "Why Mars Excites and Inspires Us" is under way in NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium in Florida during prelaunch activities for t More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket arrives on the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41, situated near the Atlantic O More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of three lightning masts, at left, protects the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket as it rolls from the safety of the More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Members of the media gather near the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, documenting the arrival of the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alli More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – David Blake, NASA principal investigator for the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) investigation by the Curiosity rover, explains the experiment to the media in NASA Kennedy Space Center' More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Doug McCuistion, director of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters, speaks to a group of Tweetup participants at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prela More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Rex Engelhardt, mission manager in NASA's Launch Services Program at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, speaks to a group of Tweetup participants at Kennedy's Press Site in Florida during pre More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls from the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) at Space Launch Complex-41, in More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the 197-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket moves away from the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) during the vehicle's rollo More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (left), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, receives a briefing from Larry Price, Lockheed Martin deputy program manager, on More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides a plume of flames as it climbs into the blue sky o More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft, sealed inside its payload fairing atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, clears the tower at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Cana More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket prepares to liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket prepares to liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft begins to rise from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Flor More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft rides a plume of flames as it lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral More

CAPE CANAVERAL – Launch controllers oversee the countdown in the Atlas V Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) before the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory on an Atlas V rocket. MSL lifted off at 10:02 a.m. More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – From left, Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at NASA Kennedy Space Center; NASA Administrator Charles Bolden; Will.i.am, entertainer and memb More

CAPE CANAVERAL – Launch managers from NASA and United Launch Alliance oversee the countdown in the Atlas V Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) before the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory on an Atlas V roc More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Television personality Bill Nye the Science Guy talks to the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activiti More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket begins to liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape C More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides a tall pillar of smoke and flames as it soars over More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft, sealed inside its payload fairing atop the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, blazes a trail into the skies above Space Launch Complex More

CAPE CANAVERAL – Chuck Duvale, deputy director of the Launch Services Program, second from left, and Bob Cabana, Kennedy Space Center director, oversee the countdown in the Atlas V Spaceflight Operations Center More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides a plume of flames as it climbs into the blue sky o More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA Administrator Charles Bolden addresses the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the ag More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Smoke and steam billow from the main engine of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket as it launches with NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft. MSL lifted off from Space La More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (left), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, accompanied by Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Sy More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, and television personality Bill Nye the Science Guy pos More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft begins to rise from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Flor More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rolls toward the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 o More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft, sealed inside the payload fairing of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, rises from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft rides a plume of flames as it clears the tower at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canav More

CAPE CANAVERAL – Launch controllers oversee the countdown in the Atlas V Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) before the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory on an Atlas V rocket. MSL lifted off at 10:02 a.m. More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A post-launch news conference begins at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the successful launch of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. From left are NASA Public More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides smoke and flames as it rises from the launch pad a More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Atlantic Ocean provides a backdrop as NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft, sealed inside its payload fairing, launches atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. MSL li More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Expedition 25 astronaut Doug Wheelock talks to the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft, sealed inside its payload fairing, rises skyward aboard the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. MSL lifted off from Space Launch Comple More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket begins to liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape C More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides a plume of flames as it continues its assent into More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides a plume of flames as it climbs into the blue sky o More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides a plume of flames as it continues its assent into More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket prepares to liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida, participants in NASA's Tweetup photograph the launch of the agency's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) as the countdown clock ticks off t More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, presenters and Kennedy personnel supporting a NASA Tweetup get a close-up look at space shuttle Endeavour being stored in the Vehicle Assembly Bui More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket prepares to liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – From left, Lars Perkins, chair of the Education and Public Outreach Committee of the NASA Advisory Council; former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education; Wil More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft rides a plume of flames as it clears the tower at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canav More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Atlantic Ocean provides a backdrop as the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket clears the tower at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Sealed insi More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides a plume of flames as it climbs into the blue sky o More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida, participants in NASA's Tweetup photograph the launch of the agency's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) from the turn basin. The tweeters More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides smoke and flames as it rises from the launch pad a More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Television personality Bill Nye the Science Guy talks to the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activiti More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At ignition, a glow of flame is barely visible beneath the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket as it launches with NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft. MSL lifted off from More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Participants of a NASA Tweetup pose for a group portrait at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) la More

CAPE CANAERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides smoke and flames as it rises from the launch pad at More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A trio of panelists awaits the start of a post-launch news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the successful launch of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mi More

CAPE CANAVERAL – Chuck Duvale, deputy director of the Launch Services Program, left, and Bob Cabana, Kennedy Space Center director, oversee the countdown in the Atlas V Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) befo More

With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides smoke and flames as it rises from the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-4 More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket begins to liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape C More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Fo More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides smoke and flames as it rises from the launch pad a More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket rides a pillar of smoke and flames as it lifts off from More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA Administrator Charles Bolden addresses the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the ag More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – From left, former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas; and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, hears about the space shuttle mission plaques lining the lobby of the Launch Control Cen More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (center), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, talks with employees on hand during his tour of the Operations and Checkout Bui More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida, participants in NASA's Tweetup photograph the launch of the agency's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) as it races through the clouds. Th More

CAPE CANAVERAL – Launch controllers oversee the countdown in the Atlas V Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC) before the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory on an Atlas V rocket. MSL lifted off at 10:02 a.m. More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver addresses the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for th More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- With NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft sealed inside its payload fairing, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket begins to liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape C More