Curiosity rover starts work on Mars

Just hours after successfully landing on Mars and the Curiosity space probe has already started sending images back to NASA.

Scientists at the US space agency hailed the flawless landing as a miracle of engineering.

At a press conference, NASA mission manager Jennifer Trosper was asked if there is anything that has not gone wrong. “No,” was her amusing one word reply. After the laughter died down she went on:

“There is a lot ahead of us, but so far we are just ecstatic about the performance of the vehicle.”

NASA says Curiosity opens up a whole new era in planetary exploration. US President Barack Obama hailed the accomplishment as a historic point of national pride.

Seen on Twitter

No photo or it didn't happen? Well lookee here, I'm casting a shadow on the ground in Mars' Gale crater #MSL twitter.com/MarsCuriosity/…

— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) Août 6, 2012

You asked for pics from my trip. Here you go! My 1st look (of many to come) of my new home... MARS! #MSL twitter.com/MarsCuriosity/…

— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) Août 6, 2012

It once was one small step... now it's six big wheels. Here's a look at one of them on the soil of Mars #MSL twitter.com/MarsCuriosity/…

— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) Août 6, 2012

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