We can all breath easy now. Curiosity is safe and sound on the surface of Mars, landing earlier this morning. To the right you can see Curiosity's first photo from the Red Planet. NASA states,
[The photo] was taken through a "fisheye" wide-angle lens on the left "eye" of a
stereo pair of Hazard-Avoidance cameras on the left-rear side of the
rover. The image is one-half of full resolution. The clear dust cover
that protected the camera during landing has been sprung open. Part of
the spring that released the dust cover can be seen at the bottom right,
near the rover's wheel.
Here is the statement by President Obama on the landing:
Tonight, on the planet Mars, the United States of America made history.
The successful landing of Curiosity – the most sophisticated roving
laboratory ever to land on another planet – marks an unprecedented feat
of technology that will stand as a point of national pride far into the
future. It proves that even the longest of odds are no match for our
unique blend of ingenuity and determination.
Tonight’s success, delivered by NASA, parallels our major steps
forward towards a vision for a new partnership with American companies
to send American astronauts into space on American spacecraft. That
partnership will save taxpayer dollars while allowing NASA to do what it
has always done best – push the very boundaries of human knowledge. And
tonight’s success reminds us that our preeminence – not just in space,
but here on Earth – depends on continuing to invest wisely in the
innovation, technology, and basic research that has always made our
economy the envy of the world.
I congratulate and thank all the men and women of NASA who made this
remarkable accomplishment a reality – and I eagerly await what Curiosity
has yet to discover.
This is a proud day for NASA. I am not sure why the President felt it was necessary to align the success with his private sector vision. Let's keep it simple. Great job, NASA!