If all goes according to plan, the Mars Science Laboratory rover, nicknamed ‘Curiosity,’ will touch down on the red planet this weekend following what NASA has called ‘seven minutes of terror’ during the descent. John Grunsfeld, head of NASA’s Science Directorate, gives a preview of the mission and talks about what scientists hope to learn from their latest ambassador to Mars.
Segment Guests
John Grunsfeld
John Grunsfeld is an astrophysicist, astronaut, and associate administrator at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C.
Joe Palca
Joe Palca is a science correspondant for NPR in Washington, D.C.