This is Curiosity inside NASA.
This recent correction is the most important task Curiosity will do during its mission to Mars. This is very common for robotic explorers to perform several times so that landing turns into a success.
As I mentioned in my previous blog, a Russian probe was doomed unsuccessful as its launch backfired in November and got trapped in Earth's atmosphere. Many attempts were made to put the probe back on track but pieces were lost and are expected to fall back to Earth this Sunday.
Over the next few weeks, NASA's team will be testing Curiosity's communication system along with other components to aid in making the mission successful. A future path adjustment is planned to take place in March.
Surprisingly, if the space craft's path was not recently adjusted, it would miss Mars altogether because it was initially not aimed at the planet. This aim was made purposely to ensure that the rocket that launched Curiosity would not hit Mars.
Since launch, the team will now be able to adjust its path several times before landing. The space craft has a special outer covering that will protect it as it launches through the atmosphere of Mars.
This is what Curiosity would look like on the planet Mars.
Curiosity has not been idle yet since launching. Its radiation detector has been activated so that it can monitor high- energy particles that come from the sun and other stars nearby. Once at Mars, radiation levels on the surface will be measured.
So far, the mission is a success and no further problems have been announced. Hopefully with further adjustments, Curiosity will reach the alien planet as it was intended.
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