Mars Science Laboratory Prime Landing Sites Selected for 2010

The prime landing sites have been narrowed and selected for the Mars Science Laboratory set to launch in the fall of 2009 for Red Planet surface arrival in October 2010. [Mission animation and alt.]

The Mars Science Laboratory will collect Martian soil and rock samples and analyze them for organic compounds and environmental conditions that could have supported microbial life now or in the past as we know it. It will also explore the role of water in the planet's history and measure the radiation hazard from the Sun and energetic charged particles from the galaxy called cosmic rays. [Video of possible landing site.]

The proposed landing sites have been narrowed to six and ongoing studies will continue to refine the potential of each site. Final selection of the one landing site will be determined following more careful analysis in October 2008 - one year prior to launch.

1. Mawrth Vallis (24º north): an ancient water outflow channel with light-coloured clay-rich rocks;


2. Nili Fossae Trough (22º north): a fracture that has been eroded and partly filled in by sediments and clay-rich ejecta from a nearby crater;


3. Terby Crater (28º south): another ancient lakebed with diverse deposits including clays;


4. Holden Crater (26º south): an ancient lakebed with layered clay-rich sediments;


5. Jezero Crater (18º north): an ancient, once-flooded crater containing a fan-delta deposit rich in clays; and,


6. Southwest Meridiani (3º south): a site where there is evidence for an ancient and widespread clay-rich layer near the surface, as well as slightly younger materials containing sulphates, which also require water to form.

The two Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity continue their surface science after having landed on the planet in January 2004. The design life of each of the two rovers was 90-days but the vehicles will soon be in operation for four years and still in good condition. The new Mars Science Laboratory will build on the work of the MER rovers and the upcoming Phoenix Mars Mission launched August 4.