Mars rover Curiosity forges onwards after computer problems
The Mars rover Curiosity is humming again after being stopped by back-to-back computer problems.
The six-wheel rover fired up its onboard laboratories and analyzed a pinch of rock dust over the weekend. It had been unable to do science experiments since late last month after experiencing a computer memory problem.
Mission managers in the U.S. say Curiosity will work for a week before it takes another break – this time planned – because the sun will block communications between Earth and Mars.
Before the computer problems, Curiosity drilled into a rock, tested the powder and found it contained some of the chemical ingredients necessary for microbial life.
There are plans to drill into another rock before setting off for a mountain later this year.
More space exploration news
Organic compounds found on Mars
NASA keeping “historic” Mars find a secret
Curiosity checks-in to Mars with Foursquare
Curiosity finds water-transported gravel
NASA spacecraft to plunge into Lunar mountain
Loading ...