1st Mars Photos by Curiosity Rover: Cheers
The first Mars photos from NASA's Curiosity rover prompt a huge celebration by the rover's mission support team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., just minutes after the rover's Aug. 5 PDT, 2012 landing.
Curiosity Descending with Heat Shield Visible After Ejection
As NASA's Curiosity rover descended to the surface of Mars the night of August 5, 2012, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) captured an image of the rover gliding on its parachute (top inset). Further examination shows what appears to be the heat shield (lower inset) which appears to be free falling as its landing would create a dust cloud. Image released August 6, 2012.
Mars Rover Curiosity: 1st Photo on Mars
This first image from the Mars rover Curiosity on the surface of Mars shows the rover's shadow as seen by a navigation camera. NASA released the image just minutes after the rover's successful Aug. 5 PDT, 2012 landing.
One of the First Images from Curiosity Rover on Mars
Curiosity immediately began beaming back images from Mars after landing, as seen at JPL, Pasadena, CA, August 5, 2012.
1st Mars Photos by Curiosity Rover: Mission Ops
NASA Entry, Descent and Landing engineer Adam Seltzner points as the first photos of Mars from the Curiosity rover are displayed just minutes after the rover's Aug. 5 PDT, 2012 landing.
MSL Team Members See First Thumbnail from Curiosity Rover on Mars
MSL team members react with jubilation as the first thumbnail from Curiosity rover arrives at JPL in Pasadena, CA, August 5, 2012.
1st Thumbnail from Curiosity Rover
Very first image from Curiosity rover on Mars, as seen at JPL in Pasadena, CA, August 5, 2012.
Cameras on Mars Rover Curiosity
This graphic shows the locations of the 17 cameras on NASA's Curiosity rover. The rover's mast features seven cameras. There is one camera on the end of a robotic and nine cameras hard-mounted to the rover, eight for navigation and one for descent imagery.
Mars Curiosity Rover with Rocks
This close-up look at the Mars rover Curiosity's deck shows small Martian rocks on top of the rover. The rocks were kicked up by Curiosity's sky crane rockets, but pose no concern for the rover. Image taken on Sol 3 (Aug. 8-9, 2012).
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
