Launched on November 26, 2011, NASA's Curiosity Rover is a semi-autonomous, car-sized robotic explorer that has been investigating Mars' Gale Crater since its August 6, 2012, landing. Designed to assess Mars' habitability, Curiosity has analyzed rock and soil samples, providing evidence of ancient habitable environments. The rover measures 10 feet (3 meters) in length, 9 feet (2.7 meters) in width, and 7 feet (2.1 meters) in height, with a mass of 1,982 pounds (899 kilograms) on Earth. Equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including a drill capable of collecting powdered rock samples, Curiosity continues to ascend Mount Sharp, studying sedimentary layers that record the planet's climatic evolution. As of May 2026, the mission remains active, with no publicly disclosed cost figures. ([science.nasa.gov](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity?utm_source=openai))