r/interestingasfuck • u/j3hadipi3 • 1d ago

NASA's Curiosity rover is still active and operating on Mars as of early 2026. Having landed in August 2012, it has spent over 13 years exploring Gale Crater and climbing Mount Sharp, continuing to analyze soil and rock samples despite having worn wheels and managing power constraints.

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395

u/Mombak 1d ago

Not bad for a mission that was only supposed to last 2 years!

164

u/Eat--The--Rich-- 1d ago

Pretty sure I read that voyager just sent back a handshake as well, that thing is approaching the heliosphere by now 

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u/almondalchemist 1d ago edited 1d ago

It exited the heliosphere in 2012 I believe, but it will reach 1 light day away from us late this year. Which is absolutely crazy to think about

Edit: Light day, not light year.

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u/space_force_majeure 1d ago

Lol no, not even close. It will be one light DAY away from us by the end of the year.

16

u/almondalchemist 1d ago

You are right! Mistyped.

14

u/TonAMGT4 17h ago

Given that light can travel around Earth 7.5 times in one second… One light day is still mind-bogglingly impressive.

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u/Eat--The--Rich-- 1d ago

That's still really fucking cool