The above image shows a beautiful example of two spectacular robots at work: The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's HiRISE camera captured the Curiosity rover's fresh tracks on Mars.
Curiosity From Space
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Captures Amazing Image of Curiosity Rover’s Descent
Incredible Image From Space Shows Curiosity on Surface of Mars
Mars Orbiter Spots Scar From Curiosity’s Ballast CrashCuriosity started moving on Aug. 22, albeit very slowly, and is now only about a football field or so from its touchdown point at Bradbury Landing. The rover first got its wheels dirty roving over to several scour marks left by the landing capsule's rocket plumes, investigating the regolith and determining that it was probably made of a dark volcanic rock called basalt. The rover is headed to an area named Glenelg, which lies east of the landing area.
NASA engineers don't have a specific target date to reach this new area, as Curiosity has now stopped for about a week to undergo detailed testing of its robotic arm. The large arm has three tools for acquiring samples, including a drill and a scoop, and two science instruments: a camera for looking up close at the Martian soil and an X-ray spectrometer to determine its composition. Scientists are now looking for a good "sample playground" where they can test all these capabilities, scooping a bit of soil and analyzing it in detail.
In the meantime, HiRISE has provided several other incredible images from space of the Curiosity landing site, including its first color photo of the rover's parachute crumpled on the ground (below).
Another color image (below) shows the impact site of Curiosity's descent stage, now in color. This is the final resting place of the hovering UFO-like platform that delivered the rover to the ground using the sky crane maneuver. The blue color was added to enhance the contrast and bring out the blast area.
*Images: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona *
