Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity launches successfully

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity launched successfully on Saturday November 26th, at 10:02 AM EST. See the official NASA page for more information and updates(External Link) on this mission.

Research from the APXS team - Profs. Ralf Gellert and Iain Campbell, research associate Nick Boyd, graduate students Scott van Bommel and Glynis Perrett, and major projects manager Mike Curry - plays a crucial role in this mission. Below are the latest examples of widespread media coverage their work has received:

Video

• CBC News: Canadian contribution(External Link) (segment on the successful liftoff from CBC's The National)
• CBC News: Mars Canadian Content(External Link) (in-depth interview with Prof. Iain Campbell on the history and function of the Alpha-particle X-Ray Spectrometer)
• The Globe and Mail: Inside Curiosity, the new Mars rover(External Link) (Prof. Ralf Gellert talks about the rover and its potential for discovery)

Articles

• CBC News: Mars-bound rock analyzer a 'new step' for Canada in space(External Link)
• Guelph Mercury: Going to Mars: University of Guelph researchers will see their work head to the Red Planet(External Link)
• The Globe and Mail: 'Curiosity' set for ambitious mission to Mars, the Red Planet(External Link)

View the following video from NASA for background on the mission: