The story of the people who designed, built, launched, landed, and are now operating the Mars rover Curiosity.
Award-winning science writer Rod Pyle provides a behind-the-scenes look into the recent space mission to Mars of Curiosity—the unmanned rover that is now providing researchers with unprecedented information about the red planet.
Pyle follows the team of dedicated scientists whose job it is to explore new vistas on Mars. Readers will also join Curiosity, the most advanced machine ever sent to another planet, on its journey of discovery.
Inside the Mars Science Laboratory: Drawing on his contacts at NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the author provides stunning insights into how this enthusiastic team of diverse individuals uses a revolutionary onboard laboratory of chemistry, geology, and physics instruments to unravel the profound secrets of the Red Planet.
Why this is essential reading for Mars enthusiasts:
Exclusive Access: A look behind the curtain at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) during a high-stakes mission.
The Human Element: Readers will meet the key players, including Robert Manning, the chief engineer for every rover mission since Pathfinder, and the project's chief scientists.
Engineering Marvels: Understand the incredible complexity of the "Sky Crane" maneuver and the nuclear-powered tech driving the rover.
🔭 From the Desk of Paul Bracken: "We sell the 'Mars Science Mug' here because we love the lineage of rovers, but Curiosity is the one that really changed the game. Rod Pyle captures the tension of the mission perfectly. It’s a tribute to the engineering wizards at JPL who figured out how to lower a car-sized robot onto an alien world using a rocket-powered crane. It reads like a thriller, but it's real science."
