Curiosity Launched on its Mission from Florida to Mars

The Mars Science Laboratory, carrying a car-sized rover named Curiosity, lifted off on time, 10:02 a.m. Saturday, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Atlas V rocket.

We are very excited about sending the world's most advanced scientific laboratory to Mars," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden stated in a release. MSL will tell us critical things we need to know about Mars, and while it advances science, we'll be working on the capabilities for a human mission to the Red Planet and to other destinations where we've never been.

The mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place Curiosity near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012, NASA stated inthe release. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life.

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