Solar System

Mars Report: March 30, 2018

March 30, 2018

NASA's InSight arrives at Vandenberg AFB and readies for launch, Opportunity uses its grinder for the first time in 300 sols, and Curiosity celebrates 2,000 Martian days on the Red Planet.

Transcript

InSight

NASA's next mission to Mars is just weeks away from its May 5 - June 8 launch window.

The rocket that will carry InSight into space is on the launch pad at Vandenberg AFB in California.

The InSight spacecraft has been delivered to Vandenberg and is being prepped for launch.

Two tiny spacecraft are launching on the same rocket as InSight.

Mars Cube One or "MarCO" is a technology demonstration to test the first CubeSats sent to deep space.

If they make it to Mars, they could serve as a communications relay for InSight when it lands.

OPPORTUNITY ROVER

The Opportunity rover used its Rock Abrasion Tool to grind its first target in Perseverance Valley on Mars.

It's the first time in more than 300 sols the rover has used the tool, also known as the RAT.

CURIOSITY ROVER

Curiosity celebrated 2000 Martian days on the Red Planet.

Curiosity has recently tested a new method for drilling.

New images offer a preview of a future target, an area containing clays.