We probably all grew up believing that Earth is the only habitable planet in the solar system. However, with the inevitable effects of global warming at bay, we can’t help but wonder if life’s possible outside Earth. And Mars has always been a potential candidate. Thanks to robotically operated rovers like Curiosity, us earthlings don’t have to wonder what’s life like on Mars anymore.
So far, we’ve had four successful Mars rovers in the past 23 years or so. These are Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity. Sadly, NASA had recently lost contact with Opportunity. This left the organization with no option but to finally declare its mission complete on February 13, 2019. That said, Curiosity remains to be the only functional rover on the red planet.
Here’s how Curiosity looks like now after over seven years in Mars
![Curiosity-2012-vs-2019-Self-portrait](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Curiosity-2012-vs-2019-Self-portrait.jpg)
Wheel Scuff Mark at ‘Rocknest’
![Wheel Scuff Mark at Rocknest](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Wheel-Scuff-Mark-at-Rocknest.jpg)
Vista from Curiosity Shows Crossbedded Martian Sandstone
![Vista from Curiosity Shows Crossbedded Martian Sandstone](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Vista-from-Curiosity-Shows-Crossbedded-Martian-Sandstone.jpg)
View From Mars Orbiter Showing Curiosity Rover at ‘Shaler’
![View From Mars Orbiter Showing Curiosity Rover at Shaler](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/View-From-Mars-Orbiter-Showing-Curiosity-Rover-at-Shaler.jpg)
Sunset Sequence in Mars’ Gale Crater
![Sunset Sequence in Mars' Gale Crater](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Sunset-Sequence-in-Mars-Gale-Crater.gif)
Strata at Base of Mount Sharp
![Strata At Base Of Mount Sharp](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Strata-At-Base-Of-Mount-Sharp.jpg)
Rocky Surroundings of Mount Sharp Captured by Curiosity
![Rocky Surroundings Captured by Curiosity](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Rocky-Surroundings-Captured-by-Curiosity.jpg)
Resistant Features in ‘Pahrump Hills’ Outcrop
![Resistant Features In Pahrump Hills Outcrop](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Resistant-Features-In-Pahrump-Hills-Outcrop.jpg)
Remnants of Ancient Streambed on Mars (White-Balanced View)
![Remnants of Ancient Streambed on Mars (White-Balanced View)](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Remnants-of-Ancient-Streambed-on-Mars-White-Balanced-View.jpg)
Outcrop within The Murray Buttes Region
![Outcrop within The Murray Buttes Region](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Outcrop-within-The-Murray-Buttes-Region.jpg)
View Toward ‘Vera Rubin Ridge’ on Mount Sharp, Mars
![Multiple Layers of Mount Sharp](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Multiple-Layers-of-Mount-Sharp.jpg)
The spacecraft is nearing its eighth anniversary on Mars after landing on August 6, 2012. Technically, its original mission duration was only 687 days. Who would have thought that rover would still be thriving till the present day? Apparently, the rover stays true to its name as it continues to explore and examine the unknown land unceasingly.
Mudstone Rock Outcrop at the Base of Mount Sharp
![Mudstone Rock Outcrop at the Base of Mount Sharp](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mudstone-Rock-Outcrop-at-the-Base-of-Mount-Sharp.jpg)
Mount Sharp Comes In Sharply
![Mount Sharp Comes In Sharply](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mount-Sharp-Comes-In-Sharply.jpg)
Curiosity Rover Finds and Examines a Meteorite on Mars
![Meteorite Found by NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Meteorite-Found-by-NASAs-Curiosity-Mars-Rover.jpg)
Two Sizes of Ripples on Surface of Martian Sand Dune
![Martian Sand Dune](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Martian-Sand-Dune.jpg)
Martian Rock ‘Harrison’ in Color, Showing Crystals
![Martian Rock Harrison in Color, Showing Crystals](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Martian-Rock-Harrison-in-Color-Showing-Crystals.jpg)
Looking Up at Mars Rover Curiosity in ‘Buckskin’ Selfie
![Mars Rover Curiosity in Buckskin Selfie](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mars-Rover-Curiosity-in-Buckskin-Selfie.jpg)
Layers at the Base of Mount Sharp
![Layers at the Base of Mount Sharp](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Layers-at-the-Base-of-Mount-Sharp.jpg)
Target: Jake Matijevic Rock
![Jake Matijevic Rock](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Jake-Matijevic-Rock.jpg)
Getting to Know Mount Sharp
![Getting to Know Mount Sharp](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Getting-to-Know-Mount-Sharp.jpg)
Fracture Town
![Fracture Town](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Fracture-Town.jpg)
Unfortunately, Curiosity has to carry on on its own for now. But don’t worry, NASA has already planned to start a 2020 Mars rover mission by July 17 to August 5. The space agency has also held a student naming contest last fall. And the nine finalists were Endurance, Tenacity, Promise, Perseverance, Vision, Clarity, Ingenuity, Fortitude, and Courage. Keep your eyes peeled for NASA’s announcement of the new rover’s name in early March!
Focusing the 100-millimeter Mastcam
![Focusing the 100-millimeter Mastcam](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Focusing-the-100-millimeter-Mastcam.jpg)
First Sampling Hole in Mount Sharp
![First Sampling Hole in Mount Sharp](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/First-Sampling-Hole-in-Mount-Sharp.jpg)
Curiosity’s Dusty Selfie at Duluth
![Curiosity's Dusty Selfie at Duluth](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Curiositys-Dusty-Selfie-at-Duluth.jpg)
Curiosity’s Color View of Martian Dune After Crossing It
![Curiosity's Color View of Martian Dune After Crossing It](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Curiositys-Color-View-of-Martian-Dune-After-Crossing-It.jpg)
Curiosity Tracks in ‘Hidden Valley’ on Mars
![Curiosity Tracks in Hidden Valley on Mars](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Curiosity-Tracks-in-Hidden-Valley-on-Mars.jpg)
Curiosity Self-Portrait at ‘Windjana’ Drilling Site
![Curiosity Self-Portrait At Windjana Drilling Site](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Curiosity-Self-Portrait-At-Windjana-Drilling-Site.jpg)
Curiosity Self-Portrait at Martian Sand Dune
![Curiosity Self-Portrait at Martian Sand Dune](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Curiosity-Self-Portrait-at-Martian-Sand-Dune.jpg)
Curiosity Rover’s View of Alluring Martian Geology Ahead
![Curiosity Rover's View of Alluring Martian Geology Ahead](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Curiosity-Rovers-View-of-Alluring-Martian-Geology-Ahead.jpg)
Bone Up on Mars Rock Shapes
![Bone up on Mars Rock Shapes](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Bone-up-on-Mars-Rock-Shapes.jpg)
Active Sand Dune Named ‘Gobabeb’
![Active Sand Dune Named Gobabeb](https://www.awesomeinventions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Active-Sand-Dune-Named-Gobabeb.jpg)
Source: NASA Science Mars Exploration Program | Curiosity Rover