On this day in space! Aug. 6, 2012: NASA lands huge Curiosity rover on Mars with a rocket-powered sky crane

On Aug. 6, 2012, NASA's Curiosity rover successfully touched down on the Martian surface in a way never attempted before: a rocket-powered sky crane. Here's why it mattered.

The top 3

  1. Most Advanced Mars Rovers Ever: Explore the evolution of Mars exploration through its most sophisticated robotic pioneers, from Curiosity's groundbreaking capabilities to Perseverance's advanced life-seeking instruments and China's Zhurong.
  2. Top 3 Most Innovative Mars Landing Technologies: Delve into the ingenious methods developed to safely deliver spacecraft to the Martian surface, from the pioneering retro-rockets to bouncing airbags and the daring sky crane maneuver.
  3. Greatest Discoveries by Mars Rovers: Uncover the most significant scientific breakthroughs made by Mars rovers, from establishing the planet's watery past to detecting the building blocks of life and gathering crucial environmental data.

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