Mars Rover Landing: NASA Rover Curiosity Nears Red Planet (Photos)

Closeup of Curiosity Mars Rover's Landing Site

NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA/DLR/FU Berlin/MSSS

A closeup view of the foot of Mount Sharp, where NASA's Curiosity Mars rover will land on the night of Aug. 5, 2012.

Symphony for the Rover

Symphony for the Rover

An image of the Mars rover Curiosity is seen on a giant screen as Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra during a performance entitled "The Planets--An HD Odyessy," Friday evening, July 27, 2012, at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va.

Bolden Presents Medal at Wolf Trap

NASA/Paul E. Alers

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, presents a medal to Emil de Cou, conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, during a performance entitled "The Planets--An HD Odyessy," Friday evening, July 27, 2012, at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va.

Dr. Michael Meyer MSL Briefing

NASA/Paul E. Alers

Dr. Michael Meyer, lead scientist for the Mars Exploration program at NASA Headquarters, talks about Mars and the upcoming landing of the rover Curiosity during a briefing at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Friday, July 27, 2012, in Washington. The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, launched in November 2011, is scheduled to reach the planet on Aug. 5. Curiosity will carry the most advanced payload of scientific gear ever used on Mars’ surface, a payload more than 10 times as massive as those of earlier Mars rovers.

Dr. Jim Garvin Talks About Mars

NASA/Paul E. Alers

Dr. Jim Garvin, chief scientist for the Sciences and Exploration Directorate at Goddard Spaceflight Center, talks about Mars and the upcoming landing of the rover Curiosity during a briefing at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Friday, July 27, 2012, in Washington. The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, launched in November 2011, is scheduled to reach the planet on Aug. 5. Curiosity will carry the most advanced payload of scientific gear ever used on Mars’ surface, a payload more than 10 times as massive as those of earlier Mars rovers.

Garvin and Myers at Curiosity Briefing

NASA/Paul E. Alers

Dr. Jim Garvin, chief scientist for the Sciences and Exploration Directorate at Goddard Spaceflight Center, left and Dr. Michael Meyer, lead scientist for the Mars Exploration program at NASA Headquarters, talk about Mars and the upcoming landing of the rover Curiosity during a briefing at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Friday, July 27, 2012, in Washington. The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, launched in November 2011, is scheduled to reach the planet on Aug. 5. Curiosity will carry the most advanced payload of scientific gear ever used on Mars’ surface, a payload more than 10 times as massive as those of earlier Mars rovers.

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