Engineers ran rover-mobility tests on California sand dunes this week in preparation for operating NASA's Curiosity rover after it lands in Mars' Gale Crater. >>

What���s it like inside Curiosity���s cruise vehicle? Well, it���s a bit dark but the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) camera on the rover arm has a built-in LED light or flashlight, used to light up the dark space inside the cruise vehicle and aeroshell to take this full-color test image. Read more >>

A group of journalists take part in a field trip to learn about clues hidden in the rock layers with Curiosity Project Scientist, John Grotzinger. >>

At 10:31 p.m. PDT today, April 27, (1:31 p.m. EDT), NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, carrying the one-ton Curiosity rover, will be within 100 days from its appointment with the Martian surface. >>

Tune in to learn more about Gale Crater, the destination for the next Mars rover Curiosity. Curiosity is halfway to Mars and scheduled to land at Gale Crater in August 2012. Watch archived webcast >>Read more >>

A stack of geological chapters in the history book of Mars has attracted NASA's big new rover and takes an informal name from a geologist with early Mars missions. >>

Landing a spacecraft on Mars is one of the trickiest things we do. This 60-second video explains how it���s done, and the three landing systems we use at the Red Planet. >>

Engineers use Curiosity's body double to practice robotic arm placement. >>

In the eight-month trip to Mars, a lot has to go right for Curiosity to arrive safely. >>

Mars Science Laboratory engineers have a dress rehearsal for Curiosity's landing day on the Red Planet. >>

Mission team members share their excitement and reflections on the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover. >>

Video of the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Nov. 26, 2011, onboard an Atlas V rocket. >>

After its successful launch to Mars on Nov. 26, 2011 Curiosity is in its cruise phase on its way to Mars!View simulated views of where Curiosity is now. >>

Get to know the Mars Science Laboratory rover by exploring this 3-D Photosynth of the rover in the JPL Mars Yard >>

Games:

Take a Mars Adventure!

Mars Word Find

Weight on Mars

>>

NASA and Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., have collaborated to create a Web site where Internet users can have fun while advancing their knowledge of Mars. >>

Mars has remained in the human imagination, and not even the rise of science and technology has interrupted our wary fascination with this neighboring world. >>

Celebrate the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit by sending a postcard. >>

Or, how big is the Mars Science Laboratory rover? Ask Dr. C, your personal Mars expert! >>