Repost from @backyardastronomyguy using @RepostRegramApp - 🛸 🤣 Technically this heat shield/backplate didn’t land, but it carried inside NASA’s 6-wheeled Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity Rover) that landed on August 6, 2012. Curiosity has driven 12.18 miles (19.601 kilometers) as of Sol 2132. It’s original mission was only designed to last 2 years, but has been going strong now for 6 years. What’s a “Sol” you ask? It’s the term used by planetary astronomers to refer to the duration of a solar day on Mars. A mean Martian solar day, or "sol", is 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35.244 seconds. Where is Curiosity now? Visit: https://marsmobile.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/mission/whereistherovernow/ —————————————— Wishing you clear skies! -Marty McGuire 🔭 NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador 🚀 Bethlehem, PA, USA www.BackyardAstronomyGuy.com Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/YouTube/Flickr —————————————— #astronomy #astrophotography #backyardastronomyguy #backyardastronomy #telescope #space #solarsystem #science #nasa #jpl #nasajpl #solarsystemambassador #mars #curiosty #rover