SPACE.com: The latest in a line of NASA Mars rovers, Curiosity, is being readied for launch in 2011, with a new landing system that is being tried for the first time. Unlike previous roversâmdash;such as Spirit, Opportunity, and Sojournerâmdash;which used an airbag and landing platform to land on the planet’s surface, Curiosity will land on its wheels because of its innovative suspension system.When the rover touches down on Mars in August 2012, it will get to work collecting samples and testing rocks to study the planet’s geological past.
