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NASA Rover 'Curiosity' Set For Saturday Launch

Posted by Soulskill on from the wave-at-phobos-grunt-on-the-way-up dept.

arcite writes "The Mars Science Laboratory Rover 'Curiosity,' an SUV-sized rover packed to the gills with the latest scientific instruments and an innovative landing system, is set to launch tomorrow. As the heaviest and largest Mars rover to date, if it is successful in touching down on the red planet, it will be the best bet yet for NASA to find signs of life. Stuffed with turkey and burned out on holiday shopping, Geeks everywhere will be watching the skies above (or the livestream here) and wishing NASA's Curiosity godspeed!"

5 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. Measurements by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just remember to not confuse feet and meters, and I think things will be ok.

  2. The gills? by Baloroth · · Score: 3, Funny

    SUV-sized rover packed to the gills

    It has gills now? I mean I knew they were considering a kitchen sink to go along with its laser, but gills? There isn't that much water on Mars, is there?

    --
    "None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license." --John Milton
  3. Re:Is this thing on? by ColdWetDog · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have looked around and cannot find the answer as to whether Curiosity has a microphone on board.

    If not then why not?

    Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine, - who wouldn't want to hear the winds of Mars?

    In space, no one can hear you scream.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  4. Re:Holy hell, they built a MALP! by 0123456 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Have you heard about the instrument package??

    A fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff...

  5. Future Headlines by cstacy · · Score: 3, Funny

    (1) Curiosity will last longer than advertised design life, headlines will be "The Nine Lives Of Curiosity" (2) Curiosity will accidentally be driven into a crater or something, headlines will be "Curiosity Killed The Cat" (3) both