On This Day in Space History

A CHRONICLE OF SPACEFLIGHT

THE SPACE RACE · THE SHUTTLE ERA · ROBOTIC EXPLORATION · 1957–PRESENT

Welcome to On This Day A daily chronicle of humanity in space — the launches, landings, spacewalks, and firsts that mark the space age. Start here. Read the welcome →
August 6
Mars Science Laboratory
Mission
Mars Science Laboratory
Series
NASA
Venue
Gale Crater, Mars
Date
August 6, 2012
Agency
NASA
Nickname
Curiosity rover lands in Gale Crater on Mars
Crew
Adam Steltzner
John Grotzinger

Curiosity rover lands in Gale Crater on Mars

NASA's car-sized Curiosity rover touched down in Gale Crater using the novel 'sky crane' landing system after its 'seven minutes of terror' descent. The nuclear-powered rover confirmed that ancient Mars had conditions capable of supporting microbial life.

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