Mars Rover Curiosity Is Now Ready To Find Alien Life After Successful Drilling

The Mars Rover Curiosity has declared that it’s ready for some Science as it successfully drilled on Martian soil.

NASA’s rover, which arrived on the Red Planet in 2011, was able to drill a hole through the Gale Crater. It is the same region where the rover landed roughly eight years ago and was chosen for its supposed clay-bearing features.

In a tweet, NASA’s rover team said, “Don’t let your dreams be dreams. Back in 2011, before I launched for Mars, Gale Crater was chosen as my landing site in part because of intriguing clays seen from orbit. I finally got beneath the surface of those clays. Science to come.”

According to CNET, the bedrock where Curiosity started digging is labeled "Aberlady." Here, the NASA rover aims to continuously drill holes and conduct studies on rock composition and even the rock powder/ dust to help scientists know more about this part of the Red Planet.

The Gale Crater was considered a prime spot for the Curiosity because of its clay-like surface. Determining the presence of water in the area could lead to the discovery of alien life or at the very least organic compounds that point to the very real possibility that there’s life outside of Earth.

"Certain minerals, including some Curiosity may find in the clay and sulfate-rich layers near the bottom of Gale's mountain, are good at latching onto organic compounds and protecting them from oxidation," NASA said during Curiosity’s launch.

The success of Curiosity’s exploration is quite significant. It can give important information that could help in future Mars missions, especially those that would involve bringing humans to the planet.

Recently, a group of scientists from the University of Southern California Arid Climate and Water Research Center suggested that areas near Mars’ equator would be the most ideal landing spots for NASA missions. Citing the possible presence of water, it will be able to address one of the most basic requirements needed for humans to survive in an alien planet.

The outcome of Curiosity’s research would also play a crucial role in finding ideal regions where astronauts can set up a Mars base or a human colony in the future.