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2arrs2ells

Curiosity is the rover for the Mars Science Laboratory, launched 11/26/2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Science_Laboratory

Purpose of the MSL is:

* Determine whether Mars could ever have supported life

* Study the climate of Mars

* Study the geology of Mars

* Plan for a human mission to Mars

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One major thesis of MSL/Curiosity is that sample return missions are hard. Taking a jaunt over to Mars, collecting samples from various locations, then shipping them all back to Earth is not something we can accomplish right now - so Curiosity has been designed as the next best thing.

Take a look at the instruments section of that Wikipedia article. Curiosity is crammed with every sensor and analysis tool they could possibly fit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Science_Laboratory#Instrum...

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