Quote:
Originally Posted by Nehkara
There are a few key things about this rover that are important:
1. It has more and better science instruments than previous rovers (10 times the mass of instruments).
2. It is big. 10 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 7 feet tall. Much bigger wheels, the ability to traverse much rougher terrain.
3. Honestly its power source is almost the most important thing about the rover. It uses a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) for power, rather than solar panels. This is very important. This means the rover can operate day and night, in all seasons, and during/after dust storms. The previous rovers operated mostly during the day and had to park for the entire winter. Curiosity will be able to operate at full capacity at all points in time. The RTG also produces waste heat, which the rover uses to warm its instruments (rather than using precious power like the other rovers had to). Most importantly (in my mind), the RTG has a MINIMUM expected life of 14 years. It is kind of a strange thought but there is a decent possibility that this rover will still be operating when we land people on Mars.
4. It is going to study whether life has ever existed on Mars and get a better understanding of Mars' history. It will also study the climate and geology of Mars, and also has taken and will take important radiation measurements for the journey to Mars and on the surface. A lot of this data is being gathered and studied as an aid to a future manned mission.
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...and I mean this honestly, what are the odds of a manned mission to mars happening within the next 20-25 years?