NASA rover prepares to use laser on Martian rock

This image released on Friday Aug. 17,2012 shows bedrocks that was exposed after Curiosity's rocket stage fired its engines that blew away soil from the Martian surface. / AP Photo/NASA

(AP) LOS ANGELES - Ready, set, fire.

The NASA Mars rover Curiosity is preparing for its first laser target practice — zapping a Martian rock 10 feet away on Saturday night.

Since landing in an ancient crater Aug. 5, the car-size Curiosity has been getting a full health checkup. Scientists said Friday they have chosen a generic-looking rock near the landing site to aim the laser at and burn a small hole.

The laser is one of 10 tools Curiosity will use to study whether the environment was favorable for microbial life.

Engineers next week planned to command Curiosity to turn its wheels side-to-side and then take its first short drive that will involve rolling forward 10 feet, turning 90 degrees and then going in reverse.

After the checkups are done, the rover will head 1,300 feet east to a spot where three different types of terrain converge in a drive that will take about a month. By year's end, it will start its trek toward a mountain rising from the crater floor.

Mars rover Curiosity's first trip still weeks away
Video: NASA engineer looks back on 7 years of Mars rover work

[aubfmet]

It appears that Curiosity will never get too far away from where it set down. In 5 years will it get 5 miles?

[realtimecoffee]

Hey it just traveled 350 million miles, hit Mars at 13000 miles an hour, went through a heat shield, a parachute, a rocket pack and an elevator. I don't think it needs any dirt bike thrills.

[MickKegeon]

How do they know it's a rock? It might be a "martian". One mistake could start an interplanetary war. This is like "War of the Worlds" in reverse.

[dustin93sc]

Remember moon rocks? The laser test is on banal, inert matter. NASA wastes your tax dollars on this worthless adventure. What about the people all over our planet who suffer from malnutrition, disease, poverty, lack of water, and no education.

[dontforget911]

It is quite unbelievable that a health checkup takes weeks to complete. Does this thing operates using Z80 Microprocessors? Time for another upgrade!

[MickKegeon]

ObamaCare is in charge of the health checkup.