I just found out this morning that NASA is about to launch a new Mars rover vehicle named Curiousity.

Curiosity weighs over a ton and is loaded with all sorts of scientific instruments. It is so big that they are going to lower it on the surface via a crane from a hovering craft above the surface. How NASA can do that from a gazillion miles away is beyond me!

Once there it will roll around on it’s six wheels, collect samples and engage aliens.

One thing I’ve never understood is how such a fragile machine that has to be assembled in a clean room can survive a thundering ride aboard a Saturn V rocket.

Used to be everybody was excited about space exploration, especially kids. We all wanted to be astronauts or scientists. Now most of the kids I talk with want to be video game designers.

Check out the NASA Curiosity site, lots of good stuff there for grownups, kids, and teachers.