NASA’s Curiosity rover gets ready for Mars

The 10ft long, 9ft wide vehicle is being sent as part of a $2.5billion mission to see whether the red planet does in fact have what it takes to nurture microbial life. Once on Mars, Curiosity will analyse the soil for organic compounds, investigate the composition of the Martian surface and determine the atmospheric cycling and processes. Curiosity is twice as long and five times as heavy as earlier Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity. It is equipped to carry a set of 10 different instruments, including cameras, lasers, a 7ft tall jackhammer, analytical instruments and laser firing equipment. According to Doug McCuistion, director of NASA's Mars exploration program, the vehicle will be the largest and most complex piece of equipment to ever be placed on the surface of another planet. The rover is scheduled to arrive on Mars next August, 8½ months after embarking on the 354 million-mile voyage. 10.6 pounds of plutonium will power its two year mission.