After two years and about 5 1/2 miles (9km), curiosity has reached the base of Mount Sharp. This has to be the slowest road trip ever. But considering all the scientists stopping the rover and saying “Look over there!”, “Do science here!”, “Drill Baby Drill!”…well maybe not the last one. (It’s a joke people, I don’t want any comments!)
Anyway, with only 3.4 miles to the top, Curiosity still has a long way to go.
Actually, the numbers aren’t that bad for Curiosity. Spirit only went 4.8 miles while it was still actively roving, and Opportunity has only gone about 25 miles in 11 years. Curiosity is a dragster in comparison.
Curiosity is going to be at the base of Mt. Sharp for a while because of the interesting geological strata that is there. It makes finding about the Martian geological history a lot easier than drilling into the rock. Samples will still be taken and analyzed, but Curiosity is in it for the long haul.
– Ex astris, scientia –
I am and avid amateur astronomer and intellectual property attorney in Pasadena, California and I am a Rising Star as rated by Super Lawyers Magazine. As a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, I am a proud member of the Armed Service Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association working to aid all active duty and veterans in our communities. Connect with me on Google +
Norman