NASA's Mars rover Curiosity drilled into Mars for a rock sample, to look for geological evidence and microbial life forms (Reuters)<\/p>\n
NASA's Curiosity rover has, for the first time, used a drill carried at the end of its robotic arm to bore into the surface of Mars and collected a sample from its interior. <\/p>\n
This is the first time any robot has drilled into a rock to collect a sample from the red planet. <\/p>\n
The fresh hole, about 1.6 centimetres wide and 6.4 centimetres deep, can be seen in images and other data Curiosity beamed back to Earth on Saturday. <\/p>\n
The rock is believed to hold evidence about the history of the planet, which once had a wet environment. The rover will use its laboratory instruments to analyse rock powder collected by the drill. <\/p>\n
Curiosity's first drill target was a rock laced with veins of what appeared to be water-deposited minerals. The car-sized rover, which landed on Mars on 6 August for a two-year mission, is searching for the geological and chemical conditions needed to support and preserve microbial life. <\/p>\n
\"First drilling on Mars to collect a sample for science is a success,\" NASA posted on Twitter. <\/p>\n
\"The most advanced planetary robot ever designed is now a fully operating analytical laboratory on Mars,\" said John Grunsfeld, NASA associate administrator for the agency's Science Mission Directorate. <\/p>\n
\"This is the biggest milestone accomplishment for the Curiosity team since the sky-crane landing last August, another proud day for America,\" he added. <\/p>\n
For the next few days, ground controllers will command the rover's arm to process the sample, ultimately delivering portions to the instruments inside. <\/p>\n
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NASA's Curiosity Rover Drills into Surface of Mars<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" NASA's Mars rover Curiosity drilled into Mars for a rock sample, to look for geological evidence and microbial life forms (Reuters) NASA's Curiosity rover has, for the first time, used a drill carried at the end of its robotic arm to bore into the surface of Mars and collected a sample from its interior. Continue reading