[Video Link] This Sunday night (and through the wee hours of Monday morning), engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA will attempt to land the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity on the surface of Mars. If the daring and complex landing plan goes right, Curiosity will enter the red planet's atmosphere, slow its descent by releasing a parachute, then lower itself to the surface on a tether with the help of a 'sky crane.' In this report for the PBS NewsHour, space journalist Miles O'Brien previews the highly anticipated space event. Read the full transcript here, and view video or download MP3 audio here.
Here's our roundup of ways to tune in and watch Curiosity make history. Things get hot and heavy starting around Sunday 830pm PT.
- Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity headed for Mars landing …
- NASA's Ashwin Vasavada talks Mars Science Laboratory and …
- William Shatner and Wil Wheaton welcome NASA's Curiosity rover …
- Are we all Martians? The curious hunt for life on Mars
- NASA Mars Science Laboratory + Curiosity Rover: first look (photo …
- Spacecraft 3D: Nifty robotic space travel augmented-reality app from …