NASA has obtained an impressive aerial photograph of Curiosity traversing the surface of Mars.

      NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

      NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has captured what is thought to be the first orbital photograph of the Curiosity rover while it is in motion.

      The stunning image, enhanced for clarity, distinctly displays the tracks left by Curiosity's six wheels as it traverses the arid terrain of the red planet, with a small dot marking the rover's position.

      Those tracks? That’s @MarsCuriosity on the move. This image was taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has spent the last twenty years searching for evidence of ancient water on Mars from its orbit. Meanwhile, Curiosity has been digging for answers since 2012. pic.twitter.com/8ioEXBvR8R — NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) April 24, 2025

      “NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has never shied away from the camera, appearing in selfies and images captured from space. However, on February 28, Curiosity was photographed in what is believed to be the first orbital image of the rover mid-drive on the red planet,” said NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which manages the Curiosity mission.

      The image was taken by the MRO’s HiRISE (High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera, with the tracks measuring approximately 1,050 feet (320 meters) long. Curiosity is depicted near the base of a steep slope that, according to JPL, the rover has since ascended. Since its arrival on Mars in 2012, the rover operates using a combination of remote commands from Earth and onboard autonomy, with JPL engineers coordinating with scientists to plan each day’s itinerary.

      NASA noted that the tracks will likely remain visible “for months” before being erased by Martian winds.

      “They represent around 11 drives starting on February 2, as Curiosity moved at a maximum speed of 0.1 mph (0.16 kph) from Gediz Vallis channel on its way to the next scientific destination,” JPL explained.

      The rover has been focused on studying whether Mars ever had conditions conducive to microbial life. It is also gathering data concerning the planet’s climate and geology while analyzing the environment in preparation for upcoming crewed missions.

      The MRO orbits Mars at altitudes between approximately 155 to 196 miles (250 to 315 kilometers), with its main goals being to investigate Mars’ geology and climate, look for signs of water, and assist other Mars missions by relaying data and scouting potential landing sites for future missions.

      Curiosity is not the only NASA rover exploring the Martian surface. The more advanced Perseverance rover has been active on the red planet since its dramatic landing, which was captured on high-resolution video, in 2021.

      On a clear night, Mars can be seen until November. So, the next time you spot it, take a moment to reflect on the fact that on that distant planet, NASA has two rovers navigating the surface, conducting scientific research conceived by humans right here on Earth.

      

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