Episode 418: An Opportunity for Curiosity

On this episode, we welcome back Scott Maxwell who works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory driving Mars rovers. We first discuss the Mars Exploration Rovers, or MERs, Spirit and Opportunity. We talk about the end of Spirit, what was done, and what it was like saying goodbye. We then talk about the milestones and records that Opportunity is reaching having been on Mars for just under 100 months on it's planned 90 day mission. From there, we move on to Scott's next task, which will be driving the Mars Science Laboratory, or Curiosity, when it lands on Mars in early August of this year. We talk about the differences in the rovers, the training involved, and about what Curiosity's mission will be on Mars. For more on the MERS, Curiosity, and their activities on Mars, visit http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov For more on Scott Maxwell, check him out on Twitter: @marsroverdriver or on Google+ Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Mars rover driver Scott Maxwell Show Recorded - 5/20/2012