Curiosity without problems across the sand dunes

What on the planet - routine (overcoming the sandy hill, just think - on our roads and not have to travel a) on Mars - a real achievement. Yes, the rover Curiosity without any problems across the sand dunes in the region Dingo Gap , and now before it opened more or less smooth road to Mt. Sharpe.

is worth recalling that at the beginning of the scientists varied - whether it is necessary to send a rover to overcome the sand dune height of 1 meter or not. After discussion, it was decided to choose this path, and the rover boldly went to the obstacle. Curiosity will now have fewer problems with the wheels - the surface area of ​​the dunes is much smoother than that on which the rover had to roll up to the present day.



Of course, scientists are not sent to the rover in the sand without testing. The tests were conducted on Earth, where conditions were simulated closest to Mars, that are characteristic for the region Dingo Gap. After all has been verified, the rover was given command to pass on the edge of the dunes, to make sure that Curiosity will be able to drive on the sand surface (by the way, do not consist of dunes of sand, and a material that granulometric composition occupies a middle position between sand and dust).



As mentioned above, now Curiosity sent to Mount Sharp, but before the rover will cross the region, called Moonlight Valley.

Source: habrahabr.ru/post/212177/