San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute designed and built the Radiation Assessment Detector, or RAD, a sophisticated, three-pound instrument that will help determine how hazardous conditions are to life on Mars. It's one of 10 instruments onboard the Curiosity rover.

San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute designed and built the Radiation Assessment Detector, or RAD, a sophisticated, three-pound instrument that will help determine how hazardous conditions are to life

San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute designed and built... Photo-3281186.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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In this image released by NASA on Tuesday Oct. 30, 2012 shows a scoop of Martian soil collected by the NASA’s Curiosity rover. An analysis of the soil released Tuesday reveals it contains similar minerals found on Hawaii’s Mauna Kea. Curiosity landed on Mars in August on a two-year mission to study whether the environment was habitable. (AP Photo/NASA) less

In this image released by NASA on Tuesday Oct. 30, 2012 shows a scoop of Martian soil collected by the NASA’s Curiosity rover. An analysis of the soil released Tuesday reveals it contains similar minerals ... more

Photo: Associated Press

In this image released by NASA on Tuesday Oct. 30, 2012 shows a... Photo-3961558.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 4 of 44

This focus-merge image combines portions of eight images from the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity shows a rock called "Burwash." The rock has a coating of dust on it. The coarser, visible grains are windblown sand. The images were taken during the mission's 82nd sol, or Martian day (Oct. 29, 2012) less

This focus-merge image combines portions of eight images from the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity shows a rock called "Burwash." The rock has a coating of dust on it. The ... more

The Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took this image of a rock called "Et-Then" during the mission's 82nd sol, or Martian day (Oct. 29, 2012). Et-Then is located near the rover's front left wheel, where the rover has been stationed while scooping soil at the site called "Rocknest." less

The Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity took this image of a rock called "Et-Then" during the mission's 82nd sol, or Martian day (Oct. 29, 2012). Et-Then is located near the ... more

This image released by NASA shows the work site of the NASA’s rover Curiosity on Mars. Results are in from the first test of Martian soil by the rover Curiosity: So far, there is no definitive evidence that the red planet has the chemical ingredients to support life.Scientists said Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 that a scoop of sandy soil analyzed by the rover's chemistry lab contained water and a mix of chemicals, but not the complex carbon-based compounds considered necessary for microbial life. (AP Photo/NASA) less

This image released by NASA shows the work site of the NASA’s rover Curiosity on Mars. Results are in from the first test of Martian soil by the rover Curiosity: So far, there is no definitive evidence that ... more

Photo: HOPD, Associated Press

This image released by NASA shows the work site of the NASA’s... Photo-3961562.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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This picture provided by NASA on December 9, 2012 shows a view of the terrain encountered by the Mars Curiosity Rover on December 9, 2012. Mars rover Curiosity's dramatic landing and early scientific exploits have rejuvenated enthusiasm for Martian exploration.

This picture provided by NASA on December 9, 2012 shows a view of the terrain encountered by the Mars Curiosity Rover on December 9, 2012. Mars rover Curiosity's dramatic landing and early scientific exploits

This picture provided by NASA on December 9, 2012 shows a view of... Photo-3961564.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 8 of 44

This picture provided by NASA on December 3, 2012 shows a view of the third (L) and fourth (R) trenches made by the 1.6-inch-wide (4cm) scoop on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity in October 2012. The image was acquired by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on October 31, 2012 and shows some of the details regarding the properties of the "Rocknest" wind drift sand. The upper surface of the drift is covered by coarse sand grains approximately 0.02 to 0.06 inches (0.5 to 1.5 millimeters) in size. These coarse grains are mantled with fine dust, giving the drift surface a light brownish red color. The coarse sand is somewhat cemented to form a thin crust about 0.2 inches (0.5 centimeters) thick. Evidence for the crusting is seen by the presence of angular clods in and around the troughs and in the sharp, jagged indentations and overhangs on one wall of each trench (the walls closest to the top of this figure). Beneath the crust surface, as revealed in the scoop troughs and the piles of sediment on the right side of each, is finer sand, which is darker brown as compared with the dust on the surface. The left end of each trough wall shows alternating light and dark bands, indicating that the sand inside the drift is not completely uniform. This banding might result from different amounts of infiltrated dust, chemical alteration or deposition of sands of slightly different color.

This picture provided by NASA on December 3, 2012 shows a view of the third (L) and fourth (R) trenches made by the 1.6-inch-wide (4cm) scoop on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity in October 2012. The image was

This picture provided by NASA on December 3, 2012 shows a view of... Photo-3961561.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 9 of 44

This picture provided by NASA on December 11, 2012 shows a self portrait of NASA's Curiosity rover captured by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI). Dozens of high-resolution images were combined into self-portrait images of the rover. The mosaic shows the rover at "Rocknest," the spot in Gale Crater where the mission's first scoop sampling took place. Four scoop scars can be seen in the regolith in front of the rover. A fifth scoop was collected later. The base of Gale Crater's 3-mile-high (5-kilometer) sedimentary mountain, Mount Sharp, rises on the horizon in the right half of the mosaic. Mountains in the background to the left are the northern wall of Gale Crater. The Martian landscape and the turret on the rover's arm appear inverted within the round, reflective ChemCam instrument at the top of the rover's mast. The rover's robotic arm is not visible in the mosaic. MAHLI, which took the component images for this mosaic, is mounted on a turret at the end of the arm. Wrist motions and turret rotations on the arm allowed MAHLI to acquire the mosaic's component images.

This picture provided by NASA on December 11, 2012 shows a self... Photo-3961565.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 10 of 44

This Dec. 12, 2012 image provided by NASA shows the Mars rover Curiosity at a pit stop, a shallow depression called "Yellowknife Bay." It took the image on the 125th Martian day, or sol, of the mission, just after finishing that sol's drive. The Sol 125 drive entered Yellowknife Bay and covered about 86 feet (26.1 meters). The descent into the basin crossed a step about 2 feet (half a meter) high, visible in the upper half of this image. Curiosity will now head for Mount Sharp in mid-February after it drills into its first rock. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech)

This Dec. 12, 2012 image provided by NASA shows the Mars rover Curiosity at a pit stop, a shallow depression called "Yellowknife Bay." It took the image on the 125th Martian day, or sol, of the mission, just

This image provided by NASA shows the base of Mount Sharp on Mars. The Curiosity rover is set to drive toward the mountain in mid-February after drilling into a rock. The image was taken by Curiosity's 100-millimeter Mast Camera on Aug. 23, 2012. Scientists enhanced the color in one version to show the Martian scene under the lighting conditions we have on Earth, which helps in analyzing the terrain. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)

This image provided by NASA shows the base of Mount Sharp on Mars. The Curiosity rover is set to drive toward the mountain in mid-February after drilling into a rock. The image was taken by Curiosity's

This image provided by NASA shows the base of Mount Sharp on Mars.... Photo-3961573.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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This image released by NASA on October 4, 2012, shows NASA's Mars rover Curiosity as it cut a wheel scuff mark into a wind-formed ripple at the "Rocknest" site to give researchers a better opportunity to examine the particle-size distribution of the material forming the ripple. The rover's right Navigation camera took this image of the scuff mark on the mission's 57th Martian day, or sol (October 3, 2012), the same sol that a wheel created the mark. For scale, the width of the wheel track is about 16 inches (40 centimeters).

This image released by NASA on October 4, 2012, shows NASA's Mars rover Curiosity as it cut a wheel scuff mark into a wind-formed ripple at the "Rocknest" site to give researchers a better opportunity to

This image released by NASA on October 4, 2012, shows NASA's... Photo-3553405.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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This handout image provided by NASA, taken Sept. 28, 2012, is a mosaic of images taken by the telephoto right-eye camera of the Mast Camera before the Mars Curiosity rover arrived at Rocknest. (AP Photo/NASA)

An image provided by NASA shows the robotic arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity with the first rock touched by an instrument on the arm. The rover's right Navigation Camera made the image on Sept. 22, 2012. Curiosity placed the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer instrument onto the rock to assess what chemical elements were present in the rock. The rock is named "Jake Matijevic" in commemoration of influential Mars-rover engineer Jacob Matijevic.

An image provided by NASA shows the robotic arm of NASA's Mars rover Curiosity with the first rock touched by an instrument on the arm. The rover's right Navigation Camera made the image on Sept. 22, 2012.

An image provided by NASA shows the robotic arm of NASA's... Photo-3544817.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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This image obtained from NASA, shows a rock outcrop in a photo taken by the Mars Curiosity rover on September 14, 2012. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

This image obtained from NASA, shows a rock outcrop in a photo taken by the Mars Curiosity rover on September 14, 2012. NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Photo: -, AFP/Getty Images

This image obtained from NASA, shows a rock outcrop in a photo... Photo-3544815.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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This image released on September 27, 2012 from NASA's Curiosity rover, shows a rock outcrop called Link that pops out from a Martian surface that is elsewhere blanketed by reddish-brown dust. NASA

This image released on September 27, 2012 from NASA's Curiosity rover, shows a rock outcrop called Link that pops out from a Martian surface that is elsewhere blanketed by reddish-brown dust. NASA

Photo: HO, AFP/Getty Images

This image released on September 27, 2012 from NASA's... Photo-3544816.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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This image provided by NASA shows shows a Martian rock outcrop near the landing site of the rover Curiosity thought to be the site of an ancient streambed, next to similar rocks shown on earth. Curiosity landed in a crater near Mars' equator on Aug. 5, 2012, on a two-year mission to study whether the environment could have been favorable for microbial life. (AP Photo/NASA) less

This image provided by NASA shows shows a Martian rock outcrop near the landing site of the rover Curiosity thought to be the site of an ancient streambed, next to similar rocks shown on earth. Curiosity landed ... more

This Sept. 19, 2012 image provided by NASA shows a view of the United States flag medallion on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity that was taken by the rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI). The flag is one of four "mobility logos" placed on the rover's mobility rocker arms. The circular medallion of the flag is made of anodized aluminum and measures 2.68 inches (68 millimeters) in diameter. The medallion was affixed with bolts to locations on the rocker arms where flight hardware was once considered, but ultimately deemed unnecessary. (AP Photo/NASA) less

This Sept. 19, 2012 image provided by NASA shows a view of the United States flag medallion on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity that was taken by the rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI). The flag is one of four ... more

This Sept. 19, 2012 photo provided by NASA shows a rock about 8 feet (2.5 meters) in front of the Curiosity rover on Mars. The rock is about 10 inches (25 centimeters) tall and 16 inches (40 centimeters) wide. The team has assessed it as a suitable target for the first use of Curiosity's contact instruments on a rock, and named it after the late Jacob Matijevic, who was the surface operations systems chief engineer for the Mars Science Laboratory Project and the project's Curiosity rover. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech) The rock has been named "Jake Matijevic." This commemorates Jacob Matijevic (1947-2012), who was the surface operations systems chief engineer for the Mars Science Laboratory Project and the project's Curiosity rover. He was also a leading engineer for all of the previous NASA Mars rovers: Sojourner, Spirit and Opportunity. Curiosity's contact instruments are on a turret at the end of the rover's arm. They are the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer for reading a target's elemental composition and the Mars Hand Lens Imager for close-up imaging. less

This Sept. 19, 2012 photo provided by NASA shows a rock about 8 feet (2.5 meters) in front of the Curiosity rover on Mars. The rock is about 10 inches (25 centimeters) tall and 16 inches (40 centimeters) wide. ... more

In this Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 photo made available by NASA, the Martian moon Phobos grazes the sun's disk as seen by the Curiosity rover. Mars has two moons moving fast around the red planet, making eclipses more common than on Earth. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS) less

In this Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 photo made available by NASA, the Martian moon Phobos grazes the sun's disk as seen by the Curiosity rover. Mars has two moons moving fast around the red planet, making eclipses ... more

Photo: Associated Press

In this Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 photo made available by NASA, the... Photo-3483801.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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This image provided by NASA shows the Curiosity rover's three left wheels. Since landing on Mars on Aug. 5, 2012, Curiosity has driven more than the length of a football field. It will resume driving this week after it completes its health checkups. (AP Photo/NASA) less

This image provided by NASA shows the Curiosity rover's three left wheels. Since landing on Mars on Aug. 5, 2012, Curiosity has driven more than the length of a football field. It will resume driving this week ... more

Matt Heverly, left, and Vandi Tompkins, center, drivers for the $2.5 billion Mars Curiosity, looking at the latest data from the Red Planet with Justin Linn, a mission controller, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., Aug. 30, 2012. Together, Heverly and his team of 16 drivers are responsible for steering the six-wheeled, plutonium-powered rover across the Red Planet's Gale Crater. less

Matt Heverly, left, and Vandi Tompkins, center, drivers for the $2.5 billion Mars Curiosity, looking at the latest data from the Red Planet with Justin Linn, a mission controller, at the Jet Propulsion ... more

This image released by NASA on Wednesday Aug. 29,2012 shows Curiosity's wheels after it made its third drive on Mars. The six-wheel rover landed on Aug. 5, 2012 on a mission to study the red planet's environment. (AP Photo/NASA) less

This image released by NASA on Wednesday Aug. 29,2012 shows Curiosity's wheels after it made its third drive on Mars. The six-wheel rover landed on Aug. 5, 2012 on a mission to study the red planet's ... more

Photo: Associated Press

This image released by NASA on Wednesday Aug. 29,2012 shows... Photo-3544827.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 24 of 44

A file annotated image released by NASA on August 28, 2012 shows a close-up of track marks from the first test drive of NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars.

A file annotated image released by NASA on August 28, 2012 shows a close-up of track marks from the first test drive of NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars.

Photo: AFP PHOTO / HANDOUT / NASA /JPL-Caltech

A file annotated image released by NASA on August 28, 2012 shows a... Photo-3544808.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

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This NASA image released August20, 2012 shows a panorama of the Mars Curiosity and Mount Sharp visible from the rover made from several images captured by several Navcams on board the rover. The Martian mountain rises 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers) above the floor of Gale Crater. Geological deposits near the base of the Mount Sharp are the destination of the Curiosity rover's mission. AFP PHOTO/HANDOUT/ NASA/JPL-Caltech = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT " AFP PHOTO / NASA/JPL-Caltech " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =HO/AFP/GettyImages less

This NASA image released August20, 2012 shows a panorama of the Mars Curiosity and Mount Sharp visible from the rover made from several images captured by several Navcams on board the rover. The Martian ... more

Photo: HO, AFP/Getty Images

This NASA image released August20, 2012 shows a panorama of the... Photo-3350163.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 26 of 44

In this handout provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech, tracks from NASA's Curiosity Mars rover are seen from above in this composite image made from the Navigation camera August 22, 2012 on Mars. According to NASA, the rover moved forward 15 feet, then rotated 120 degrees before reversing 8.2 feet during its first time moving. less

In this handout provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech, tracks from NASA's Curiosity Mars rover are seen from above in this composite image made from the Navigation camera August 22, 2012 on Mars. According to NASA, the ... more

Photo: NASA, Getty Images

In this handout provided by NASA/JPL-Caltech, tracks from... Photo-3361931.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 27 of 44

These before-and-after images provided by NASA show a plume of dust, left, that disappeared. NASA thinks a camera aboard Curiosity caught the rocket stage crash-landing in the distance. Curiosity landed on Mars on August 5, 2012 to begin a two-year exploration of Gale Crater. (AP Photo/NASA) less

These before-and-after images provided by NASA show a plume of dust, left, that disappeared. NASA thinks a camera aboard Curiosity caught the rocket stage crash-landing in the distance. Curiosity landed on Mars ... more

Photo: Associated Press

These before-and-after images provided by NASA show a plume of... Photo-3544860.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

This image released by NASA August 9, 2012 shows a view AFP PHOTO/HANDOUT/ NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems taken by Mastcam: Left (MAST_LEFT) onboard NASA's Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 3 ... more

Photo: HO, AFP/Getty Images

This image released by NASA August 9, 2012 shows a view AFP... Photo-3339907.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 29 of 44

A 360-degree panorama in color of Gale Crater Vista, taken by NASA's Curiosity rover is displayed at the Malin Space Science Systems, MSSS, control room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., early morning Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. Scientists will be taking a closer look at several splotches in the foreground that appear gray. These areas show the effects of the descent stage's rocket engines blasting the ground. What appeared as a dark strip of dunes in previous, black-and-white pictures from Curiosity can also be seen along the top of this mosaic, but the color images also reveal additional shades of reddish brown around the dunes, likely indicating different textures or materials. MSSS built and operates the orbiter's Context Camera. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) less

A 360-degree panorama in color of Gale Crater Vista, taken by NASA's Curiosity rover is displayed at the Malin Space Science Systems, MSSS, control room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., ... more

Photo: Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

A 360-degree panorama in color of Gale Crater Vista, taken by... Photo-3309205.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 30 of 44

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory logo is seen on a full-resolution image of the Martian surface from the Navigation cameras on NASA's Curiosity rover, which are located on the rover's "head" or mast, are downloaded at the Surface Mission Support Area, SMSA at NASA's JPL in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. The rim of Gale Crater can be seen in the distance beyond the pebbly ground. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) less

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory logo is seen on a full-resolution image of the Martian surface from the Navigation cameras on NASA's Curiosity rover, which are located on the rover's "head" or mast, are ... more

This image released on Tuesday Aug. 7,2012 by NASA shows the first color view of the north wall and rim of Gale Crater where NASA's rover Curiosity landed Sunday night. The picture was taken by the rover's camera at the end of its stowed robotic arm and appears fuzzy because of dust on the camera's cover. (AP Photo/NASA) less

This image released on Tuesday Aug. 7,2012 by NASA shows the first color view of the north wall and rim of Gale Crater where NASA's rover Curiosity landed Sunday night. The picture was taken by the rover's ... more

Photo: HOPD, Associated Press

This image released on Tuesday Aug. 7,2012 by NASA shows the first... Photo-3544862.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 32 of 44

This late Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 PDT photo made available by NASA shows the Curiosity rover, bottom, and its parachute descending to the surface from the vantage point of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

This late Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 PDT photo made available by NASA shows the Curiosity rover, bottom, and its parachute descending to the surface from the vantage point of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Photo: Associated Press

This late Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 PDT photo made available by NASA... Photo-3292659.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

This photo provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory shows the gravel on the surface of Mars' Gale Crater where the Curiosity rover landed late Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 PDT. On the horizon is the rim of the crater. Part of the spring that released the lens' dust cover can be seen at the bottom right, near the rover's wheel. At top left is part of the rover's power supply. The lines across the top are an artifact from the sensor since the camera is looking into the sun. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech) less

This photo provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory shows the gravel on the surface of Mars' Gale Crater where the Curiosity rover landed late Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 PDT. On the horizon is the rim of the ... more

This image taken by NASA's Curiosity shows what lies ahead for the rover -- its main science target, informally called Mount Sharp, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. The rover's shadow can be seen in the foreground, and the dark bands beyond are dunes. Rising up in the distance is the highest peak of Mount Sharp at a height of about 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers), taller than Mt. Whitney in California. The Curiosity team hopes to drive the rover to the mountain to investigate its lower layers, which scientists think hold clues to past environmental change. This image was captured by the rover's front left Hazard-Avoidance camera at full resolution shortly after it landed. It has not yet been linearized to remove the distorted appearance that results from its fisheye lens. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech) less

This image taken by NASA's Curiosity shows what lies ahead for the rover -- its main science target, informally called Mount Sharp, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. The rover's shadow can be seen in the foreground, and ... more

Photo: MSL Curiosity, Associated Press

This image taken by NASA's Curiosity shows what lies ahead for... Photo-3544857.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 36 of 44

This photo provided by NASA shows a full-resolution version of one of the first images taken by a rear Hazard-Avoidance camera on NASA's Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars the Sunday evening, Aug. 5, 2012. The image was originally taken through a "fisheye" wide-angle lens, but has been "linearized" so that the horizon looks flat rather than curved. A Hazard-avoidance camera on the rear-left side of Curiosity obtained this image. Part of the rim of Gale Crater, which is a feature the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, stretches from the top middle to the top right of the image. One of the rover's wheels can be seen at bottom right. (AP Photo/NASA/JPL-Caltech) less

This photo provided by NASA shows a full-resolution version of one of the first images taken by a rear Hazard-Avoidance camera on NASA's Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars the Sunday evening, Aug. 5, 2012. ... more

Photo: MSL Curiosity, Associated Press

This photo provided by NASA shows a full-resolution version of one... Photo-3544864.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Scientists comment on a parachute deployment of the Curiosity Mars Rover during a media briefing of the Mars Science Laboratory, MSL science overview news briefing at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, JPL, in ... more

Photo: Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

Scientists comment on a parachute deployment of the Curiosity Mars... Photo-3292711.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 38 of 44

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) engineers James Wong (L) and Errin Dalshaug (R) examine a full size engineered model of the Mars rover Curiosity at JPL in Pasadena, California August 2, 2012. NASA said Thursday all was well ahead of its nail-biting mission to Mars, with its most advanced robotic rover poised to hunt for clues about past life and water on Earth's nearest planetary neighbor. On a two-year journey to seek out signs of environments that once sustained life, the landing of the Mars Science Laboratory and the largest and most sophisticated rover ever built, Curiosity, is set for 1:31 am August 6 (0531 GMT). AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/GettyImages less

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) engineers James Wong (L) and Errin Dalshaug (R) examine a full size engineered model of the Mars rover Curiosity at JPL in Pasadena, California August 2, 2012. NASA said Thursday ... more

Engineers work on a model of the Mars rover Curiosity at the Spacecraft Assembly Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. After traveling 8 1/2 months and 352 million miles, Curiosity will attempt a landing on Mars the night of Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) less

Engineers work on a model of the Mars rover Curiosity at the Spacecraft Assembly Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. After traveling 8 1/2 months and 352 ... more

Photo: Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

Engineers work on a model of the Mars rover Curiosity at the... Photo-3544858.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Adam Steltzner, Phase Lead and Development Manager for Entry, Descent, and Landing, JPL, left, explains the Curiosity rover's entry, descent, and landing (EDL) on Mars, during the Mission Engineering Overview ... more

Photo: Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

Adam Steltzner, Phase Lead and Development Manager for Entry,... Photo-3292654.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 41 of 44

FILE- In this file photo taken Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, engineers work on a model of the Mars rover Curiosity at the Spacecraft Assembly Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., After traveling 8 1/2 months and 352 million miles, Curiosity will attempt a landing on Mars the night of Aug. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) less

FILE- In this file photo taken Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, engineers work on a model of the Mars rover Curiosity at the Spacecraft Assembly Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., After ... more

An artist's rendering of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover. Curiosity includes a radiation detector designed and build by San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute.

An artist's rendering of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover. Curiosity includes a radiation detector designed and build by San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute.

Photo: Courtesy Photo, NASA

An artist's rendering of the Mars Science Laboratory... Photo-3544867.50184 - San Antonio Express-News

Image 43 of 44

Nasa Mars Yard at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is shown with a model of Mars robot, Curiosity, during a media demonstration, in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, July 25, 2012. On Sunday, Aug. 5th, after 8 and a half months in transit, Curiosity will parachute onto the Martian surface to hunt for the chemical building blocks of life. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) less

Nasa Mars Yard at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is shown with a model of Mars robot, Curiosity, during a media demonstration, in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, July 25, 2012. On Sunday, Aug. 5th, after 8 and a ... more