The satellite photographed the Curiosity rover from the Martian orbit

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter satellite, located in the orbit of Mars, photographed the Curiosity rover on Mount Sharpe. This happened on June 5, 2017. The satellite itself at that time was at an altitude of 270.9 km above the surface of the Red Planet.

Sapphire Mars rover

The mission of the Curiosity rover has been going on for almost 5 years. During this time, he overcame a route of more than 15 km and gave scientists unique material for research. At the time this photo was taken, the rover was heading towards the Vera Rubin ridge from the side of the active sand dunes, which he had explored before.

Photo: NASA

On the frame, a device that reaches three meters in length looks like a small blue speck. This unusual color is due to the fact that the frame was taken using the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera. This camera, which allows you to get very clear photos from a long distance, takes pictures in blue-green, red and near infrared. In order to better distinguish between different breeds of Martian soil, the colors in the photo further enhance. Hence the “sapphire” Mars rover.

Curiosity is stronger than circumstances

The Curiosity rover (translated from English as “curiosity”) left Earth on November 26, 2011, and was already on Mars on August 6, 2012. His task on the Red Planet was to conduct a complete analysis of Martian soils and atmospheric components. Therefore, Curiosity turned into a full-fledged chemical laboratory. Sophisticated equipment required a lot of space: the rover is much larger than its older colleagues.

In the photo: Martian Curiosity route

Initially, the Curiosity mission was to be completed after one Martian year, or 686 Earth days. However, for almost five years, the rover has continued its important work, delivering to the Earth ever new data about the mysterious Red Planet. Which thanks to the efforts of Curiosity is getting a little closer.