Science Summary

Mars Science Laboratory will assess whether Mars ever had an environment capable of supporting microbial life. Determining past habitability on Mars gives NASA and the scientific community a better understanding of whether life could have existed on the red planet and, if it could have existed, an idea of where to look for it in the future.

Goals:   Mars Science Laboratory is part of a series of expeditions to the red planet that help meet the four main science goals of the Mars Exploration Program:
	Determine whether life ever arose on Mars Characterize the climate of Mars Characterize the geology of Mars Prepare for human exploration

Objectives:  Mars Science Laboratory intends to meet these goals by accomplishing eight specific objectives.

For a description of how Mars Science Laboratory plans on collecting data in support of these goals and objectives, please see science instruments in the Mission Section.