The successful August 5, 2012, landing of the Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars represents an unprecedented achievement. The most complex spacecraft ever to land on the surface of another planet, Curiosity was the result of bold scientific vision (search for habitable environments), coupled with extraordinary engineering (how to successfully land a one-ton SUV-sized vehicle on Mars). John Grotzinger, the project scientist for the Curiosity mission, presents highlights. 

Image credit © NASA/JPL Caltech