{"id":2350,"date":"2015-03-03T16:55:36","date_gmt":"2015-03-03T16:55:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/?p=2350"},"modified":"2020-09-08T17:53:05","modified_gmt":"2020-09-08T17:53:05","slug":"curiosity-mars-project-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/updated\/2350\/curiosity-mars-project-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Curiosity Mars Project Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/mars-curiosity-rover-project.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3131\" src=\"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/mars-curiosity-rover-project.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1669\" height=\"830\" srcset=\"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/mars-curiosity-rover-project.jpg 1669w, https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/mars-curiosity-rover-project-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/mars-curiosity-rover-project-1024x509.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/mars-curiosity-rover-project-768x382.jpg 768w, https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/mars-curiosity-rover-project-1536x764.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1669px) 100vw, 1669px\" \/><\/a>The Curiosity Rover is a car sized all terrain vehicle created by NASA and specifically designed to traverse thru the most hostile environments known to man. And, this just happens to be the planet Mars. This is the timeline of events that led to the Curiosity Rover to Mars.<\/p>\n<div style=\"clear: both;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><a name=\"April-2004\"><\/a>April 2004: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>MissionProposal<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Curiosity Rover was proposed to be used for the Mars Exploration Program (MEP). The main goals of the program (at least the ones told to the press) are to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Determine if Mars could have supported any life form<\/li>\n<li>Determine if it is possible that Mars had or still has water<\/li>\n<li>Study the climate of Mars<\/li>\n<li>Study the geology of Mars<\/li>\n<li>Prepare for possible human exploration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><a name=\"December-14-2004\"><\/a>December 14, 2004: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Instrument Selection<\/strong><br \/>\nBecause of the logistics involved, every bit of space and the total weight of the Curiosity Rover had to be carefully considered. It should be light enough to be carried from here to Mars, robust enough to weather the rigors of its travel, and have enough instruments to record the most pressing variables\/data. Finally, 8 proposals were selected and the following instruments determined:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS)<\/li>\n<li>Chemistry and Camera complex (ChemCam)<\/li>\n<li>Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin)<\/li>\n<li>Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN)<\/li>\n<li>Hazard avoidance cameras (Hazcams)<\/li>\n<li>Mars Descent Imager (MARDI)<\/li>\n<li>Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI)<\/li>\n<li>Mast Camera (MastCam)<\/li>\n<li>Navigation cameras (Navcams)<\/li>\n<li>Radiation assessment detector (RAD)<\/li>\n<li>Robotic arm<\/li>\n<li>Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS)<\/li>\n<li>Sample analysis at Mars (SAM)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><a name=\"December-2008\"><\/a>December 2008: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Launch Delay<\/strong><br \/>\nDue to several delays in testing, fabrication and integration the initial proposed lift off was rescheduled. Of course, this was expected by some experts. Eventually, the Curiosity Rover was scheduled for launch onNovember 26, 2011.<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><a name=\"June-22-2011\"><\/a>June 22, 2011: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Landing Site Selection<\/strong>Because of the limited timeframe and area by which the Curiosity Rover can be operated, the landing site was carefully considered. Eventually, the Gale Crater was selected. The main reason for the selection is because of its deep alluvial fan which is where experts believed that ancient sources of water shed its debris. This is located in the craters rim in Aeolis Mons peak.<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><br \/>\n<a name=\"November-26-2011\"><\/a>November 26, 2011: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Launch<\/strong><br \/>\nThe scheduled launch was successful. This was held in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Atlas V rocket was used for the launch. The estimated time of arrival was 8 months.<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><br \/>\n<a name=\"December-13-2011\"><\/a>December 13, 2011: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Radiation Monitoring<\/strong><br \/>\nSpace radiation monitoring begins. This is for future manned missions. And will be of great help in determining radiation shielding requirements.<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\">\n<p><span class=\"tt-date\"><a name=\"January-11-2012\"><\/a>January 11, 2012: \u00a0<\/span> <a class=\"tt-up\">Trajectory CorrectionsBecause of the distance from Earth to Mars a slight deviation in trajectory will result in the Curiosity project getting lost in space. Therefore, a maximum of 6 trajectory corrections were allowed by logistics. In actuality the Curiosity project used 4 out of 6 of their allowable corrections. This occurred on:<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>January 11, 2012<\/li>\n<li>March 26, 2012<\/li>\n<li>June 26, 2012<\/li>\n<li>July 28, 2012<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><br \/>\n<a name=\"August-6-2012\"><\/a>August 6, 2012: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Automated Precision Landing<\/strong><br \/>\nA successful landing is necessary in order to avoid any damage to the Curiosity Rover. Remember, even the slightest damage can result in catastrophic mission failure a.k.a. misspent tax dollars. Successful landing was confirmed. This was within 2.4 kilometers from the center of the target landing area. Landing images were transmitted via relay orbiters, albeit the same were merely low resolution. After landing, the Curiosity Rover started diagnostic checks and relayed the landing experience (data) to Earth.<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><br \/>\n<a name=\"August-8-2012\"><\/a>August 8, 2012: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Upgrade<\/strong><br \/>\nLogistics dictated minimal internal memory of the Curiosity Rover. In order to maximize this memory, part of the same was used for \u201centry-descent \u2013landing software\u201d. After the successful landing, this was deleted and then \u201csurface operation software\u201d was installed. Because of the distance, it took 7 days (August 15, 2012) for the same to be successfully downloaded and installed.<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><br \/>\n<a name=\"August-15-2012\"><\/a>August 15, 2012: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<strong>Instrument\/Mobility Check<\/strong><br \/>\nSeveral days were utilized for routine instrument checks as well as mobility tests. This is because NASA has identified several viable routes to reach the mountain base. The science and operation team estimates that about a year is required to get to the base of Mount Sharp. This is because of the many hours that will be used to study the rock and soil, not to mention the fact that the Curiosity Rover is built for toughness, not speed. To put the timeline into perspective, it is estimated that the first drive of the Curiosity Rover will start in September and will be 400 meters in length but should take about 2 months to complete.<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><br \/>\n<a name=\"August-22-2012\"><\/a>August 22, 2012: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\nThe Curiosity rover took its first short test drive. This came a week after it was allowed to wiggle its wheel to determine steering. The Curiosity rover rolled 15 feet forward, rotated at a right angle, and then reversed. This left track marks in Mars soil as evidenced by photographs taken for that purpose, to the visible delight of everyone within and outside the project.<\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><br \/>\n<a name=\"September-27-2012\"><\/a>September 27, 2012: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.space.com\/17518-mars-rover-curiosity-latest-red-planet-photos.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nMars rover finds ancient streambed where water once flowed<\/a>. \u00a0 New images suggest that water once flowed in large volumes \u2014 perhaps hip-deep in places \u2014 across the Martian surface. Exciting stuff, and as they say in the video below&#8230; a result exactly what they hoped that would justify this amazing accomplishment. [1. <a title=\"Jay Turner\" href=\"https:\/\/plus.google.com\/104665363876225576093\/posts\">Jay Turner<\/a> ]<object id=\"flashObj\" width=\"400\" height=\"292\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http:\/\/download.macromedia.com\/pub\/shockwave\/cabs\/flash\/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"flashVars\" value=\"videoId=1864760106001&amp;linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2F17797-water-rushed-on-mars-curiosity-finds-video.html&amp;playerID=1403109806001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAFR6xVM~,85KKOZyvPf6qwFANvqEzo9EFltY58YnJ&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true\" \/><param name=\"base\" value=\"http:\/\/admin.brightcove.com\" \/><param name=\"seamlesstabbing\" value=\"false\" \/><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"swLiveConnect\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"allowScriptAccess\" value=\"always\" \/><param name=\"src\" value=\"http:\/\/c.brightcove.com\/services\/viewer\/federated_f9?isVid=1\" \/><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"videoId=1864760106001&amp;linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2F17797-water-rushed-on-mars-curiosity-finds-video.html&amp;playerID=1403109806001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAFR6xVM~,85KKOZyvPf6qwFANvqEzo9EFltY58YnJ&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true\" \/><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"swliveconnect\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" \/><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http:\/\/www.macromedia.com\/shockwave\/download\/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash\" \/><embed id=\"flashObj\" width=\"400\" height=\"292\" type=\"application\/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http:\/\/c.brightcove.com\/services\/viewer\/federated_f9?isVid=1\" flashvars=\"videoId=1864760106001&amp;linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2F17797-water-rushed-on-mars-curiosity-finds-video.html&amp;playerID=1403109806001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAFR6xVM~,85KKOZyvPf6qwFANvqEzo9EFltY58YnJ&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true\" base=\"http:\/\/admin.brightcove.com\" seamlesstabbing=\"false\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" swliveconnect=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" flashvars=\"videoId=1864760106001&amp;linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2F17797-water-rushed-on-mars-curiosity-finds-video.html&amp;playerID=1403109806001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAFR6xVM~,85KKOZyvPf6qwFANvqEzo9EFltY58YnJ&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" swliveconnect=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" pluginspage=\"http:\/\/www.macromedia.com\/shockwave\/download\/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash\" \/><\/object><\/div>\n<div class=\"tt-box\"><span class=\"tt-date\"><br \/>\n<a name=\"December-3-2012\"><\/a>December 3, 2012: \u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ustream.tv\/nasajpl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\nNASA reveals ancient river bed found by Rover<\/a>. [1. <a title=\"Tracy Shiltz\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/beth.macintosh.35\">Tracy Shiltz ]<br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<p><strong>This Timeline Need&#8217;s A Curator:<\/strong>\u00a0 The Curiosity Mars Project has been an amazing endeavor. \u00a0It&#8217;s going to be so fun to follow this story.\u00a0Would you like to join our hopeless cause to archive everything cool here at Histowiki.com by curating this page? \u00a0The benefits are&#8230; 1) \u00a0\u00a0get your Bio right here to get some street cred, 2)\u00a0free press releases written and submitted by us every time you update the content, \u00a03) we promote YOU as the authority anytime Media needs an interview [optional], 4) get a link back to your social profile to meet other people fascinated with this project, 5) get another link back to another site you own or like, 6) free membership to our HistoWiki Exclusive How-To section where we show videos on how to do cool things like how to blog for fun and profit, and that&#8217;s not all. \u00a0To get the whole enchilada on this, go to our\u00a0<a title=\"HistoWiki.com F.A.Q. Page\" href=\"http:\/\/rxjkj.com\/histo\/about-histowiki-faq.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">F.A.Q. page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Are we missing anything? \u00a0Do any of these entries NOT belong? Feel free to make some suggestions below! \u00a0And hit the Facebook Like button if coming to this page made it worth coming to HistoWiki.com today. \u00a0Bookmark us now and follow the Timeline&#8217;s up coming changes by hitting the &#8220;Subscribe to&#8221; button below in the comment section!<\/p>\n<p><strong>A big Thank You to the contributors below for helping us stay up to date:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Do you have a correction or valuable addition to the timeline? Context matters! <a title=\"Bitcoin Timeline Corrections\" href=\"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/history\/technology\/2709\/the-curiosity-mars-project-timeline-corrections-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Click here and help this timeline&#8217;s curator get the history right!<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Curiosity Rover is a car sized all terrain vehicle created by NASA and specifically designed to traverse thru the most hostile environments known to man. And, this just happens to be the planet Mars. This is the timeline of events that led to the Curiosity Rover to Mars. April&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[256,287,264,260,248],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2350"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2350"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2350\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3132,"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2350\/revisions\/3132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/histowiki.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}