Curiosity rover (Mars Science Laboratory)
NASA · Mars (Gale Crater)
Exploring Gale Crater since 2012 and still active, with 42 drilled samples and organic molecules never seen before on Mars.
At a glance
- Phase
- extended mission
- Operator
- NASA
- Destination
- Mars (Gale Crater)
- Last verified
- 2026-08-07
Where it stands
Active in Gale Crater nearly 14 years after landing; NASA marked sol 4,740 on 6 December 2025 and reports organic molecules never seen before on Mars among recent findings. On 29 July 2026 NASA reported an unusually large field of honeycomb-like polygonal fractures, 4 to 8 cm across, likely ancient mud cracks (distinct from the earlier boxwork find), found while climbing Valle Grande.
The mission
Curiosity has been exploring Gale Crater since landing on 6 August 2012 and NASA still lists it as an active mission. It has collected 42 powderised rock samples with the drill on its robotic arm and recently found organic molecules never seen before on Mars. NASA's page records the rover reaching its 4,740th Martian day on 6 December 2025, when it captured a rare night-time view using LED lights on its arm.
Related
Sources
- science.nasa.gov · https://science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity/
- science.nasa.gov · https://science.nasa.gov/mars/stories/