As part of its exploration, it also measured the radiation exposure in the interior of the spacecraft as it traveled to Mars, and it is continuing radiation measurements as it explores the surface of Mars.

Characterize the broad spectrum of surface radiation, including galactic and cosmic radiation, solar proton events and secondary neutrons.

Determine present state, distribution, and cycling of water and carbon dioxide.Assess long-timescale (i.e., 4-billion-year) Martian atmospheric evolution processes.Interpret the processes that have formed and modified rocks and soils.Investigate the chemical, isotopic, and mineralogical composition of the Martian surface and near-surface geological materials.Identify features that may represent the effects of biological processes ( biosignatures and biomolecules).Investigate the chemical building blocks of life (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur).Determine the nature and inventory of organic carbon compounds.To contribute to these goals, MSL has eight main scientific objectives: Biological The mission results will also help prepare for human exploration. 3.11 Radiation assessment detector (RAD)ДЄnimation of the Curiosity rover, showing its capabilitiesДЄs established by the Mars Exploration Program, the main scientific goals of the MSL mission are to help determine whether Mars could ever have supported life, as well as determining the role of water, and to study the climate and geology of Mars.

3.7 Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS).3.4 Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS).3.2 Chemistry and Camera complex (ChemCam).Collier Trophy by the National Aeronautic Association 'In recognition of the extraordinary achievements of successfully landing Curiosity on Mars, advancing the nation's technological and engineering capabilities, and significantly improving humanity's understanding of ancient Martian habitable environments.' Curiosity 's rover design serves as the basis for NASA's 2021 Perseverance mission, which carries different scientific instruments.

The NASA/JPL Mars Science Laboratory/ Curiosity Project Team was awarded the 2012 Robert J. The rover is still operational, and as of April 2, 2022, Curiosity has been active on Mars for 3432 sols (3526 total days 9В years, 239В days) since its landing (see current status). In December 2012, Curiosity 's two-year mission was extended indefinitely, and on 5 August 2017, NASA celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Curiosity rover landing. Mission goals include an investigation of the Martian climate and geology, assessment of whether the selected field site inside Gale has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life (including investigation of the role of water), and planetary habitability studies in preparation for human exploration. The Bradbury Landing site was less than 2.4В km (1.5В mi) from the center of the rover's touchdown target after a 560В millionВ km (350В millionВ mi) journey. Curiosity was launched from Cape Canaveral (CCAFS) on 26 November 2011, at 15:02:00 UTC and landed on Aeolis Palus inside Gale crater on Mars on 6 August 2012, 05:17:57 UTC. Curiosity is a car-sized Mars rover designed to explore the Gale crater on Mars as part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission.

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