How was the Curiosity rover powered?

Power source: Curiosity is powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), like the successful Viking 1 and Viking 2 Mars landers in 1976.

Does the Curiosity rover have a nuclear reactor?

The rover’s radioisotope thermoelectric generator makes electricity from the heat given off by its plutonium fuel. The RTG doesn’t split atoms like a reactor here on Earth, but its plutonium was created by reactors at the U.S. Department of Energy.

How did NASA put rovers on Mars?

Mars Science Laboratory arrived at Mars through technological innovations that tested a completely new landing method. The spacecraft descended on a parachute, then during the final seconds before landing, the landing system fired rockets to allow it to hover while a tether lowered Curiosity to the surface.

How does the nuclear reactor on Curiosity work?

The nuclear generator delivers both heat and 110 watts of steady electric power from an array of iridium capsules holding a ceramic form of plutonium dioxide. The heat is piped through the Curiosity carried by liquid Freon. Thermoelectric devices on the generator convert the heat into electricity with no moving parts.

What did the Curiosity rover find on Mars?

The space agency’s Curiosity rover made the surprising discovery while investigating clay-rich sedimentary rocks around its landing site in Gale Crater, a former lake that was made when an asteroid struck the Red Planet roughly 3.6 billion years ago.

Why was the Curiosity rover sent to Mars?

Curiosity is a rover that was sent to Mars to determine if the Red Planet ever had the proper conditions for microbial life to survive. On Earth, where there is water, there are living things. We know that Mars had water a long time ago.

How does curiosity generate power to explore Mars?

Curiosity carries a radioisotope power system that generates electricity from the heat of plutonium’s radioactive decay.