Mars Science Laboratory

Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a NASA mission to Mars, the gist of mission being delivery the rover (Curiosity) to Mars' surface and investigating Mars using the rover. MSL landed Curiosity on Mars in 2012 and the rover is still active in 2026. Instruments on Curiosity:

• MastCam (aka MasCam) - Mast Camera.
• ChemCam - Chemistry and Camera complex.
• Navcams - Navigation cameras.
• REMS - Rover Environmental Monitoring Station.
• hazcams - Hazard avoidance cameras.
• APXS - Alpha particle X-ray Spectrometer.
• SAM - Sample Analysis at Mars.
• DRT - Dust Removal Tool.
• RAD - Radiation assessment detector.
• DAN - Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons.
• MARDI - Mars Descent Imager.
• Robotic arm.

SAM is made up of:

• SAM-QMS - Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer.
• SAM QC - Gas Chromatograph.
• SAM-TLS - Tunable Laser Spectrometer.

MSL landed in Gale Crater, with the intention of exploring it and the mountain in the middle, Mount Sharp (aka Aeolis Mons).