Curiosity Mars rover takes first drive (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent

The US space agency's (Nasa) Curiosity rover has finally begun to roll.

The Mars robot, which landed on the Red Planet two weeks ago, turned its six wheels briefly on Wednesday to satisfy engineers that its locomotion system was in full working order.

Curiosity is a sophisticated mobile science laboratory.

It has been built to drive at least 20km across the Martian landscape to investigate whether the planet ever had the conditions necessary for life.

Wednesday's drive saw the rover roll forward 4.5m, turn clockwise on the spot for about 120 degrees, and then reverse up 2.5m.



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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19342994

[proud patriot]

1. sooooooooooooooooooo clear

the pics are just blowing me away