APXS Close-Up
APXS Close-Up In the center of this image, taken with Curiosity’s MastCams, the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) can be seen. The APXS will be placed up against rocks and soil and shoot X-rays...
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Calibration Close-Up
Calibration Close-Up One of Curiosity’s calibration targets can be seen in this image, zoomed in close using MAHLI. It is part of a larger plaque that helps adjust the camera’s color scheme (below)....
View ArticleSAM Cover
SAM Cover A close-up image shows one cover for the rover’s SAM instrument, with its cover closed. SAM is essentially Curiosity’s “nose” and can sniff the Martian atmosphere to determine its...
View ArticleSmooth Basalt
Smooth Basalt A little-known feature on Curiosity is this piece of basaltic volcanic rock from a lava flow here on Earth. The piece has been smoothed down into a nice circle. The rover carried this bit...
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Hello MAHLI
NASA’s Curiosity rover hasn’t been doing much roving lately. Instead, it’s been sitting pretty on Mars for the last week or so, waving its robotic arm all over the place. More Curiosity Selfies...
View ArticleGrains on a Penny
Grains on a Penny MAHLI took this close-up shot of the penny on its calibration target, revealing itsy-bitsy pieces of Martian dust. The bit below and to the left of Lincoln’s ear is about 200 microns...
View ArticleCheMin Intake
CheMin Intake This wire mesh cover that leads to Curiosity’s CheMin instrument can be seen in this picture. The rover will use its scoop to place powdered rocks and soil here for analysis, which will...
View ArticleEdwards Air Force Base
Endeavour began its tour of California on Friday, September 21st after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base. Roughly one-third of all Shuttle landings occurred at Edwards. (Photo: NASA/Jim Ross)
View ArticleHouston
The final Space Shuttle flew over Houston before spending Wednesday night near Johnson Space Center. (Photo: NASA/Sheri Locke)
View ArticleClear the Runway
A cameraman prepares for landing while a Korean Airlines cargo jet taxis on the runway. All air traffic was shut down for several minutes surrounding Endeavour’s arrival. (Photo: Jen Griffes)
View ArticleAnticipation at LAX
Onlookers line the roads surrounding Los Angeles International Airport in anticipation of Endeavour’s arrival. (Photo: Jen Griffes)
View ArticleFinal Approach
The Shuttle made three passes over LAX, as low as several hundred feet above the airport. (Photo: Jen Griffes)
View ArticleJet Escort
The Space Shuttle was escorted by two NASA jets during its tour of California. (Photo: Jen Griffes)
View ArticleLAX
After landing, the Shuttle Carrier taxied to the United Air Lines hangar at LAX. There, it will be detached and prepared for its 12-mile journey through the streets of Los Angeles in mid-October....
View ArticleBurger
Endeavour flies over iconic burger joint In N Out before landing at LAX. (Photo: Geoffrey Ravenhill)
View ArticleKennedy Space Center
Over the last three days, the Space Shuttle Endeavour made its way from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Los Angeles, where it will go on display at the California Science Center. Along the way, the...
View ArticleJPL
At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, scientists operating the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity took a break from interplanetary operations to watch the flyover. Here, Endeavour passes above the...
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