As the Perseverance \u2014 formerly known as Mars 2020 \u2014 rover continues preparations for its launch to Mars in July, its older cousin, Curiosity, and extended family member, InSight, continue to reveal new and fascinating features of the Red Planet.<\/p>\n
For Curiosity, Mount Sharp has provided a new driving route to quickly reach a fascinating rock capping feature called Greenheugh pediment. Meanwhile, InSight data reveals the surprising frequency of marsquakes as well as odd magnetic pulses at Homestead hollow. <\/p>\n
Curiosity \u2013 5 Martian years on:<\/b><\/p>\n
Since landing at Gale Crater on Mars in August 2012, the Curiosity rover has played a vital role in scientists\u2019 understanding of how the Red Planet\u2019s past informs its present. <\/p>\n
Surface features at Gale Crater and Mount Sharp continue to offer tantalizing exploration environments, with Curiosity discovering bizarre methane and oxygen fluctuations that scientists don\u2019t yet understand in Mars\u2019 local atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Now, scientists are seeking to send Curiosity where it hasn\u2019t gone before: having it climb its steepest incline yet to reach the top of the Greenheugh pediment.<\/p>\n
Mission teams have long wanted to climb to the top of the pediment, but the access routes identified via orbital reconnaissance to this higher elevation are still months or years away from Curiosity\u2019s current location.<\/p>\n