Find the latest technology news and expert tech product reviews. Learn about the latest gadgets and consumer tech products for entertainment, gaming, lifestyle and more.
Thirteen years ago, the Curiosity rover landed on Mars, inside Gale crater in particular. It was originally sent to the red planet for a two-year mission, but it was extended indefinitely just a few months into its operations.
The rover has several goals, most of which are meant to help scientists determine whether Mars could ever have supported life in the past. And while it's still very much operational and doing science, NASA has had to make adjustments and give it new capabilities to ensure that it can keep running.the 13th anniversary of the rover's landing, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has detailed the updates the Curiosity team has had to implement. To start with, the team manages the rover's daily power budget with great care to make sure it can do its job and last longer. See, Curiosity uses a power system called Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator , which relies on decaying plutonium pellets to generate energy. As the plutonium decays over time, it takes longer and longer for the system to recharge the rover's battery. That's why the team now meticulously factors in every device that draws on the batteries. They consolidate Curiosity's tasks to shorten the time the rover is active to also reduce the energy used. The ground team, for instance, tells Curiosity to talk to an orbiter while driving or moving its robotic arm instead of doing one task at a time. If the rover finishes its tasks early, it can go to sleep early and recharge for the next day, which JPL says maximizes the life of the MMRTG.Over the past years, NASA has also rolled out updates to change how the rover's robotic arm drill collects samples and to improve its driving capabilities. JPL developed an algorithm to reduce wear on the rover's wheels, as well, so they can last longer. From the time Curiosity had landed on Mars, it has provided us with multiple discoveries and new information. It
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NASA teaches Mars orbiter to roll over in quest to find Red Planet waterKeith Cooper is a freelance science journalist and editor in the United Kingdom, and has a degree in physics and astrophysics from the University of Manchester.
Read more »
Pragmatic strategies for parents to nurture a child's curiosity and intellect.Gifted children are special types of fast learners who can understand a lot of information quickly.
Read more »
Curiosity is messy, shakes things up, and enjoys breaking the rules.Curiosity drives growth, creativity, and connection—not just answers. Here's how to spark it daily and why it’s the quiet superpower behind learning and discovery.
Read more »
How to day trade crypto using ChatGPT and GrokLearn how traders could combine ChatGPT and Grok to find high-probability crypto trades.
Read more »
Today’s horoscope, July 17, 2025: Curiosity mutates into rebellionThe revolution won’t be televised; it’ll be translated, reworded, remixed and memed.
Read more »
Marking 13 Years on Mars, NASA’s Curiosity Picks Up New SkillsNew capabilities allow the rover to do science with less energy from its batteries.
Read more »