Image via Complex Original
Intro
In less than three weeks, the Curiosity rover will land on Mars. To prepare, NASA this week has begun to reboot the rover's primary and back-up computer systems (called Rover Compute Elements) to minimize the chance of failure. As you can imagine, the seven-minute landing is the most challenging part of the Curiosity mission to the Red Planet; any number of variables can cause it to fail. What's more, this will be the first time NASA is employing its "sky crane" procedure—which involves a supersonic parachute and retro-rockets—to lower a rover onto a planet. Good thing NASA's engineers and scientists put the rover through its paces for years before its space launch. As we wait for Curiosity to touch down, take a look at some photos from the rover's prep period.
