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Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory is a timeline of the Mars Science Laboratory mission and its rover, Curiosity. As of January 25, 2015, Curiosity has been on the planet Mars for 878 sols (902 days). (see Current Status)
In April 2004, the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) called for scientific experiments and instruments proposals for the Mars Science Laboratory and rover mission.[2] Launch was proposed for September 2009.[3][4] By December 14, 2004, eight proposals were selected, including instruments from Russia and Spain.[2][4]
Testing of components also began in late 2004, including Aerojet's monopropellant engine with the ability to throttle from 15–100 percent thrust with a fixed propellant inlet pressure.[2] By November 2008 most hardware and software development was complete, and testing continued.[5] At this point, cost overruns were approximately $400 million.[6] On December 2008, lift-off was delayed to November 2011 due to insufficient time for testing and integration.[7][8][9]
Between March 23–29, 2009, the general public ranked nine finalist rover names (Adventure, Amelia, Journey, Perception, Pursuit, Sunrise, Vision, Wonder, and Curiosity)[10] through a public poll on the NASA website.[11] On May 27, 2009, the winning name was announced to be Curiosity. The name had been submitted in an essay contest by Clara Ma, a then sixth-grader from Kansas.[11]
At the first MSL Landing Site workshop, 33 potential landing sites were identified.[12] By the second workshop in late 2007, the list had grown to include almost 50 sites,[13] and by the end of the workshop, the list was reduced to six;[14][15][16] in November 2008, project leaders at a third workshop reduced the list to these four landing sites:[17][18][19][20]
A fourth landing site workshop was held in late September 2010,[26] and the fifth and final workshop May 16–18, 2011.[27] On July 22, 2011, it was announced that Gale Crater had been selected as the landing site of the Mars Science Laboratory mission.
MSL was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41 on November 26, 2011, at 10:02 EST (15:02 UTC) aboard an Atlas V 541 provided by United Launch Alliance.[30][31] The first and second rocket stages, along with the rocket motors, were stacked on October 9, 2011 near the launch pad.[32] The fairing containing the spacecraft was transported to the launch pad on November 3, 2011.[33]
On December 13, 2011, the rover began monitoring space radiation to aid in planning for future manned missions to Mars.[34]
The interplanetary journey to Mars took more than eight months,[35] time during which, the spacecraft performed four trajectory corrections: on January 11, March 26, June 26 and on July 28. Mission design had allowed for a maximum of 6 trajectory correction opportunities.[36][37]
Curiosity landed in the Gale Crater at 05:17 UTC on August 6, 2012.[38][39][40][41] Upon reaching Mars, an automated precision landing sequence took over the entire landing events.[42] A cable cutter separated the cruise stage from the aeroshell and then the cruise stage was diverted into a trajectory for burn-up in the atmosphere.[43][44] Landing was confirmed simultaneously by 3 monitoring Mars orbiters. Curiosity landed on target and only 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from its center.[45] The coordinates of the landing site (named "Bradbury Landing") are: .[46][47]
Some low resolution Hazcam images were beamed to Earth by relay orbiters confirming the rover's wheels were deployed correctly and on the ground.[41][48] Three hours later, the rover begins to beam detailed data on its systems' status as well as on its entry, descent and landing experience.[48] Aerial 3-D images of the landing site are available and include: roverCuriositythe and related Parachute (HiRISE, October 10, 2012).
On August 8, 2012, Mission Control began upgrading the rover's dual computers by deleting the entry-descent-landing software, then uploading and installing the surface operation software;[49] the switchover was completed by August 15.[50]
The Curiosity rover lands on the surface of Mars (video-03:26; August 6, 2012).[1]
Curiosity descending under its parachute (August 6, 2012; MRO/HiRISE).[2]
MSL debris field - parachute landed 615 m from Curiosity (3-D: rover & parachute) (August 17, 2012; MRO).
Having completed its mobility tests, the rover's first drive began on August 29, 2012 to a place called Glenelg about 400 m (1,300 ft) to the east.[66] Glenelg is a location where three types of terrain intersect, and is the mission's first major driving destination. The drive across may take up to two months, after which Curiosity will stay at Glenelg for a month.[67]
On the way, Curiosity studied a pyramidal rock dubbed "Jake Matijevic" after a mathematician-turned-rover-engineer who played a critical role in the design of the six-wheeled rover, but died just days after Curiosity landed in August. [68] The Jake rock measures about 25 cm (9.8 in) tall and 40 cm (16 in) wide.[69] It is an igneous rock and may be a mugearite, a sodium rich oligoclase-bearing basaltic trachyandesite.[70] Afterwards, on September 30, 2012, a finely-grained rock, named "Bathurst Inlet", was examined by Curiosity 's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) and Alpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS). The rock was named after Bathurst Inlet, a deep inlet located along the northern coast of the Canadian mainland. Also, a sand patch, named "Rocknest", is a test target for the first use of the scoop on the arm of the Curiosity rover.[71]
On October 17, 2012, at Rocknest, the first X-ray diffraction analysis of Martian soil was performed. The results revealed the presence of several minerals, including feldspar, pyroxenes and olivine, and suggested that the Martian soil in the sample was similar to the weathered basaltic soils of Hawaiian volcanoes. The sample used is composed of dust distributed from global dust storms and local fine sand. So far, the materials Curiosity has analyzed are consistent with the initial ideas of deposits in Gale Crater recording a transition through time from a wet to dry environment.[80] On November 22, 2012, the Curiosity rover analyzed a rock named "Rocknest 3" with the APXS and then resumed traveling toward "Point Lake" overlook on its way to Glenelg Intrigue.[81]
On December 3, 2012, NASA reported that carbonates.[82][83]
In February 2013, the rover used its drill for the first time.[84]
On April 8, 2013, NASA reported that much of the atmosphere of Mars has been lost based on argon isotope ratios studies.[91][92]
On July 19, 2013, NASA scientists published the results of a new analysis of the atmosphere of Mars, reporting a lack of methane around the landing site of the Curiosity rover. In addition, the scientists found evidence that Mars "has lost a good deal of its atmosphere over time", based on the abundance of isotopic compositions of gases, particularly those related to argon and carbon.[93][94][95]
On February 28, 2013, NASA was forced to switch to the backup computer due to an issue with the then active computer's flash memory which resulted in the computer continuously rebooting in a loop. The backup computer was turned on in safe mode and was converted to operational status on March 19, 2013.[96][97]
On March 18, 2013, NASA reported evidence of mineral hydration, likely hydrated calcium sulfate, in several rock samples including the broken fragments of "Tintina" rock and "Sutton Inlier" rock as well as in veins and nodules in other rocks like "Knorr" rock and "Wernicke" rock.[98][99][100] Analysis using the rover's DAN instrument provided evidence of subsurface water, amounting to as much as 4% water content, down to a depth of 60 cm (2.0 ft), in the rover's traverse from the Bradbury Landing site to the Yellowknife Bay area in the Glenelg terrain.[98]
Between April 4 and May 1, 2013, Curiosity operated autonomously due to a Martian solar conjunction with Earth. While Curiosity transmitted a beep to Earth each day and the Odyssey spacecraft continued to relay information from the rover, no commands were sent from mission control since there was a possibility of data corruption due to interference from the Sun. Curiosity continued to perform stationary science at Yellowknife Bay for the duration of the conjunction.[91][101]
On June 5, 2013, NASA announced that Curiosity will soon begin a 8 km (5.0 mi) journey from the Glenelg area to the base of Mount Sharp. The trip is expected to take nine months to a year with stops along the way to study the local terrain.[102][103][104]
On July 16, 2013, the Curiosity rover reached a milestone in its journey across Mars, having traveled 1 km (0.62 mi), since its landing in 2012;[105] on August 1, 2013, the rover traveled over "One-Mile", 1.686 km (1.048 mi).[106]
On August 6, 2013, NASA celebrated Curiosity 's first year on Mars (August 6, 2012 to August 5, 2013) by programming the rover to perform the "Happy Birthday" song to itself.[107] NASA also released several videos (video-1, video-2) summarizing the rover's accomplishments over the year.[108][109] Primarily, the mission found evidence of "ancient environments suitable for life" on Mars. The rover drove over one-mile across the Martian terrain, transmitted more than 190 gigabits of data to Earth, including 70,000 images (36,700 full images and 35,000 thumbnails), and the rover's laser fired more than 75,000 times at 2,000 targets.[110]
On August 27, 2013, Curiosity used autonomous navigation (or "autonav"- the ability of the rover to decide for itself how to drive safely) over unknown Martian ground for the first time.[111]
On September 19, 2013, NASA scientists, on the basis of further measurements by Curiosity, reported no detection of atmospheric methane with a measured value of 0.18±0.67 ppbv corresponding to an upper limit of only 1.3 ppbv (95% confidence limit) and, as a result, conclude that the probability of current methanogenic microbial activity on Mars is reduced.[112][113][114]
On September 26, 2013, NASA scientists reported the Phoenix lander) suggesting a "global distribution of these salts".[120] NASA also reported that Jake M rock, a rock encountered by Curiosity on the way to Glenelg, was a mugearite and very similar to terrestrial mugearite rocks.[122]
On October 17, 2013, NASA reported, based on analysis of argon in the Martian atmosphere, that certain meteorites found on Earth thought to be from Mars are confirmed to be from Mars.[123]
On November 13, 2013, NASA announced the names of two features on Mars important to two active Mars exploration rovers in honor of planetary scientist Bruce C. Murray (1931-2013): "Murray Buttes", an entryway the Curiosity rover will traverse on its way to Mount Sharp and "Murray Ridge", an uplifted crater that the Opportunity rover is exploring.[124]
On November 25, 2013, NASA reported that Curiosity has resumed full science operations, with no apparent loss of capability, after completing the diagnosis of an electrical problem first observed on November 17. Apparently, an internal short in the rover's power source, the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, caused an unusual and intermittent decrease in a voltage indicator on the rover.[125][126]
On November 27, 2013, an overview (titled, "The World of Mars") of current and proposed Mars exploration by John Grotzinger, chief scientist of the Curiosity rover mission, was published in the New York Times.[127]
On December 9, 2013, NASA reported that the planet Mars had a large freshwater lake (which could have been a hospitable environment for microbial life) based on evidence from the Curiosity rover studying Aeolis Palus near Mount Sharp in Gale Crater.[128][129]
On December 9, 2013, NASA researchers described, in a series of six articles in the journal Sheepbed mudstone”. The samples were named John Klein and Cumberland. Microbes could be living on Mars by obtaining energy from chemical imbalances between minerals in a process called chemolithotrophy which means “eating rock.”[135] However, in this process only a very tiny amount of carbon is involved — much less than was found at Yellowknife Bay.[136][137]
Using SAM’s mass spectrometer, scientists measured isotopes of helium, neon, and argon that cosmic rays produce as they go through rock. The fewer of these isotopes they find, the more recently the rock has been exposed near the surface. The 4-billion-year-old lakebed rock drilled by Curiosity was uncovered between 30 million and 110 million years ago by winds which sandblasted away 2 meters of overlying rock. Next, they hope to find a site tens of millions of years younger by drilling close to an overhanging outcrop.[138]
The absorbed dose and dose equivalent from galactic cosmic rays and biosignatures can be preserved. This study estimates that a 1-meter depth drill is necessary to access possible viable radioresistant microbe cells. The actual absorbed dose measured by the Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) is 76 mGy/yr at the surface. Based on these measurements, for a round trip Mars surface mission with 180 days (each way) cruise, and 500 days on the Martian surface for this current solar cycle, an astronaut would be exposed to a total mission dose equivalent of ~1.01 sievert. Exposure to 1 sievert is associated with a 5 percent increase in risk for developing fatal cancer. NASA's current lifetime limit for increased risk for its astronauts operating in low-Earth orbit is 3 percent.[139] Maximum shielding from galactic cosmic rays can be obtained with about 3 meters of Martian soil.[140]
The samples examined were probably once mud that for millions to tens of millions of years could have hosted living organisms. This wet environment had neutral [144] C, H, O, S, N, and P were measured directly as key biogenic elements, and by inference, P is assumed to have been there as well.[135][137] The two samples, John Klein and Cumberland, contain basaltic minerals, Ca-sulfates, Fe oxide/hydroxides, Fe-sulfides, amorphous material, and trioctahedral smectites (a type of clay). Basaltic minerals in the mudstone are similar to those in nearby aeolian deposits. However, the mudstone has far less Fe-forsterite plus magnetite, so Fe-forsterite (type of olivine) was probably altered to form smectite (a type of clay) and magnetite.[145] A Late Noachian/Early Hesperian or younger age indicates that clay mineral formation on Mars extended beyond Noachian time; therefore, in this location neutral pH lasted longer than previously thought.[141]
On December 20, 2013, NASA reported that Curiosity has successfully upgraded, for the third time since landing, its software programs and is now operating with version 11. The new software is expected to provide the rover with better robotic arm and autonomous driving abilities. Due to wheel wear, a concern to drive more carefully, over the rough terrain the rover is currently traveling on its way to Mount Sharp, was also reported.[146]
On January 24, 2014, NASA reported that current studies by the Curiosity and Mars is now a primary NASA objective.[147]
On September 11, 2014 (Sol 746), Curiosity reached the slopes of Aeolis Mons (or Mount Sharp), the rover mission's long-term prime destination[151][152] and where the rover is expected to learn more about the history of Mars.[110] Curiosity had traveled an estimated linear distance of 6.9 km (4.3 mi)[153] to the mountain slopes since leaving its "start" point in Yellowknife Bay on July 4, 2013.[153]
Overview map - blue oval marks "Base of Mount Sharp" (August 17, 2012).
Traverse map - route from Landing to slopes on Mount Sharp (September 11, 2014).
Close-up map - new route (yellow) - Mount Sharp slopes (September 11, 2014).
Close-up map - Mount Sharp slopes - with few craters (bottom) (September 11, 2014).
Geology map - Mount Sharp slopes (September 11, 2014).
"Murray Buttes" knobs - Mount Sharp slopes (November 13, 2013).[3]
"Murray Buttes" mesa - Mount Sharp slopes (September 11, 2014).
"Murray Formation" bands - Mount Sharp slopes (September 11, 2014).
"Pahrump Hills" - Notable places at base of Mount Sharp (Autumn, 2014).
"Pahrump Hills" sand - viewed by Curiosity (November 13, 2014).
"Pahrump Hills" sand - Curiosity 's tracks (November 7, 2014).
"Pahrump Hills" rock outcrop on Mars – viewed by Curiosity (September 23, 2014).
"Confidence Hills" rock on Mars - Curiosity 's 1st target at Mount Sharp (September 24, 2014).
"Pahrump Hills" bedrock on Mars - viewed by Curiosity (November 9, 2014).
"Pink Cliffs" rock outcrop on Mars - viewed by Curiosity (October 7, 2014).
"Alexander Hills" bedrock on Mars - viewed by Curiosity (November 23, 2014).
On October 19, 2014, the Curiosity rover viewed the flyby of Comet C/2013 A1.
On February 6, 2014, the Curiosity rover, in order to reduce wear on its wheels by avoiding rougher terrain,[154] successfully crossed (image) the "Dingo Gap" sand dune and is now expected to travel a smoother route to Mount Sharp.[155]
On May 19, 2014, scientists announced that numerous microbes, like Tersicoccus phoenicis, may be resistant to methods usually used in spacecraft assembly clean rooms. It's not currently known if such resistant microbes could have withstood space travel and are present on the Curiosity rover now on Mars.[156]
On May 25, 2014, Curiosity discovered an iron meteorite, and named it "Lebanon" (image).
On June 3, 2014, Curiosity observed the planet Mercury transiting the Sun, marking the first time a planetary transit has been observed from a celestial body besides Earth.[157]
On June 24, 2014, Curiosity completed a Martian year—687 Earth days—after finding that Mars once had environmental conditions favorable for microbial life.[158]
On June 27, 2014, Curiosity crossed the boundary line of its "3-sigma safe-to-land ellipse" and is now in territory that may get even more interesting, especially in terms of Martian geology and landscape (view from space).[159]
On July 12, 2014, Curiosity imaged the first laser spark on Mars (related image; video (01:07).)
On August 6, 2014, Curiosity celebrated its second anniversary since landing on Mars in 2012.[160]
On September 11, 2014, a panel of NASA scientists announced (video (01:25)) the arrival of Curiosity at Mount Sharp and discussed future rover plans.[152]
On December 8, 2014, a panel of NASA scientists discussed (archive 62:03) the latest observations of Curiosity, including findings about how water may have helped shape the landscape of Mars and had a climate long ago that could have produced long-lasting lakes at many Martian locations.[161][162]
As of January 25, 2015, Curiosity has been on the planet Mars for 878 sols (902 days). Since September 11, 2014, Curiosity has been exploring the slopes of Mount Sharp,[151][152] where more information about the history of Mars is expected to be found.[110] As of September 17, 2014, the rover has traveled an estimated linear distance of 7.1 km (4.4 mi)[153] to the mountain base since leaving its "start" point in Yellowknife Bay on July 4, 2013.[153]
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
First-Year & First-Mile Traverse Map of the Curiosity rover on Mars (August 1, 2013; 3-D).
Curiosity rover - diagram noting "3-sigma safe-to-land ellipse".
Ancient Lake on Aeolis Palus in Gale Crater (December 9, 2013).[4][5]
Curiosity rover - image noting "3-sigma safe-to-land ellipse".
Curiosity viewed from space crosses edge of its "3-sigma safe-to-land ellipse" (June 27, 2014).
Curiosity 's landing site - Blue oval marks "Base of Mount Sharp" (August 17, 2012).
Base of Aeolis Mons, an area of varied terran that Curiosity is expected to study.[6]
Layers at the base of Aeolis Mons - dark rock in inset is same size as the Curiosity rover.
Curiosity finds a "bright object" in the sand at "Rocknest" (October 7, 2012)[7] (close-up).
First use of Curiosity 's scooper as it sifts a load of sand at "Rocknest" (October 7, 2012).
First laser spectrum of chemical elements on the "Coronation" rock (August 19, 2012).
Planet Mercury transiting the Sun as viewed by the Curiosity rover (June 3, 2014).[8]
Annular eclipse of the Sun by Phobos as viewed by the Curiosity rover (August 20, 2013).
Curiosity 's view of the Mars moons: Phobos passes Deimos - in real-time (August 1, 2013; video-gif).
First asteroid image (Ceres and Vesta) from Mars - viewed by Curiosity (April 20, 2014).
Curiosity 's SW view near "Darwin Outcrop" (lower-center) (Waypoint 1; September 7, 2013).
Curiosity 's view of tracks while crossing the "Dingo Gap" sand dune (February 6, 2014; video-gif).
Curiosity 's view after crossing the "Dingo Gap" sand dune (February 9, 2014; raw color).
Curiosity 's view after crossing the "Dingo Gap" sand dune (February 10, 2014).
Curiosity 's view of sandstone at different levels of erosion (February 25, 2014; raw color).
Map of Curiosity 's drive to "The Kimberley" Waypoint (KMS-9; April 2, 2014).
Curiosity 's view of "The Kimberley" Waypoint (KMS-9; April 2, 2014; 3-D).
Curiosity 's view of a "bright spot" near "The Kimberley" (KMS-9; April 3, 2014).[9]
Curiosity 's view of an iron meteorite (called "Lebanon") (May 25, 2014).
First laser spark imaged on Mars by Curiosity ("Nova" rock; July 12, 2014; video (01:07)).
Map of Curiosity 's drive to "Hidden Valley" (July 31, 2014).
Curiosity 's tracks in the sands of "Hidden Valley" (August 4, 2014).
NASA first put a reliable figure of the cost of the MSL mission at the "Phase A/Phase B transition", after a preliminary design review (PDR) that approved instruments, design and engineering of the whole mission. That was in August 2006—and the Congress-approved figure was $1.63 billion. … With this request, the MSL budget had reached $1.9 billion. … NASA HQ requested JPL prepare an assessment of costs to complete the construction of MSL by the next launch opportunity (in October 2011). This figure came in around $300 million, and NASA HQ has estimated this will translate to at least $400 million (assuming reserves will be required), to launch MSL and operate it on the surface of Mars from 2012 through 2014.
REPORT NO. IG-11-019
This morning, flight controllers decided to forgo the sixth and final opportunity on the mission calendar for a course-correction maneuver.
Animation
Solar System, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Oxygen, Mercury (planet), Moon
Mars, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Science Laboratory, 2001 Mars Odyssey, Nasa
Mars, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Gale (crater), Mars Pathfinder, Viking program
Apollo program, International Space Station, Soviet Union, Mars, Space Shuttle
Nasa, Mars, Astrobiology, Mars Science Laboratory, InSight
Mars, Gale (crater), Mars Science Laboratory, Aeolis Mons, Aeolis quadrangle
Mars, Mars Science Laboratory, Manned mission to Mars, Gale (crater), Moons of Mars