Today on Blue Dot, we talk with three scientists who play an integral role in the exploration of the Red Planet. Adam Steltzner, a rock star of a NASA engineer, leads the rovers from space to the Martian surface. Ashwin Vasavada is the project scientist for the Curiosity team, which means he coordinates all kinds of brilliant people to facilitate the actual scientific goals of the rover. We also talk to Mike Seibert, a software engineer who drives the rover from Earth (pretty good gig, huh?)
Blue Dot 06: Exploring Mars
1 of
Adam Steltzner is the lead engineer on the entry, descent and landing of NASA's Mars rovers.
NPR
2 of
Adam Steltzner is the lead engineer on the entry, descent and landing of NASA's Mars rovers.
NPR
3 of
Mike Seibert currently "drives" the Curiosity rover. He's pictured here experimenting with a model of the Spirit rover.
NASA-JPL
4 of
Mike Seibert currently "drives" the Curiosity rover. He's pictured here experimenting with a model of the Spirit rover.
NASA-JPL
5 of
Ashwin Vasavada is the project scientist on the Curiosity team. Here he is with a model of Curiosity.
NASA-JPL
6 of
Ashwin Vasavada is the project scientist on the Curiosity team. Here he is with a model of Curiosity.
NASA-JPL