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For us, mere mortals, Mars is a no man's land where survival seems like a distant dream. After all, no man has ever walked on its surface (as far as we know) and plans to send one to the red planet are only in the early stages of its development. However, humans have touched Mars through the durable wheels of Mars rovers. We've had 4 successful robotically operated Mars rovers (all of which were managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA) so far: Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity. 

As Opportunity's mission was declared complete on February 13, 2019 when NASA lost all contact with the vehicle, Curiosity became the lone survivor on the red planet, rolling over its surface to examine and explore the unknown land all by itself. The spacecraft first landed on Mars on August 6, 2012 and started carrying out its objectives throughout the years. In fact, Curiosity did its job so well and held on for so long that its original mission duration of 687 days was expanded indefinitely. 

Here's how Curiosity looked 7 years ago and now

#1

Ripples On Surface Of Martian Sand Dune

Ripples On Surface Of Martian Sand Dune

NASA Report

Curiosity is approaching its 8 year anniversary on Mars and while it is currently the only functional rover on the planet (after we all, unfortunately, had to say goodbye to Oppy), NASA has plans to send it some company in the shape of Mars 2020 rover. The 2020 mission is scheduled to start on 17 July to 5 August 2020 when the rocket carrying the rover will be launched. NASA also announced a student naming contest for the rover that was held in the fall of 2019. The final name will be announced in early March 2020, so we definitely have something to look forward to!

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#2

Sunset Sequence In Mars' Gale Crater

Sunset Sequence In Mars' Gale Crater

NASA Report

#3

Curiosity Rover Finds And Examines A Meteorite On Mars

Curiosity Rover Finds And Examines A Meteorite On Mars

NASA Report

#4

Curiosity's Color View Of Martian Dune After Crossing It

Curiosity's Color View Of Martian Dune After Crossing It

NASA Report

#5

Martian Rock 'Harrison' In Color, Showing Crystals

Martian Rock 'Harrison' In Color, Showing Crystals

NASA Report

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#6

Curiosity's Dusty Selfie At Duluth

Curiosity's Dusty Selfie At Duluth

NASA Report

#7

Jake Matijevic Rock

Jake Matijevic Rock

NASA Report

#8

Multiple Layers Of Mount Sharp

Multiple Layers Of Mount Sharp

NASA Report

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#9

First Sampling Hole In Mount Sharp

First Sampling Hole In Mount Sharp

NASA Report

#10

Curiosity Took Dozens Of Mast Cam Images To Complete This Mosaic Of A Petrified Sand Dune

Curiosity Took Dozens Of Mast Cam Images To Complete This Mosaic Of A Petrified Sand Dune

marscuriosity Report

#11

Remnants Of Ancient Streambed On Mars

Remnants Of Ancient Streambed On Mars

NASA Report

#12

Outcrop In The Murray Buttes Region Of Lower Mount Sharp

Outcrop In The Murray Buttes Region Of Lower Mount Sharp

NASA Report

#13

Mount Sharp Comes In Sharply

Mount Sharp Comes In Sharply

NASA Report

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#14

Curiosity Self-Portrait At Martian Sand Dune

Curiosity Self-Portrait At Martian Sand Dune

NASA Report

#15

Curiosity Visited An Area Named "Fracture Town" Which Contains Many Pointed, Layered Rock Formations

Curiosity Visited An Area Named "Fracture Town" Which Contains Many Pointed, Layered Rock Formations

marscuriosity Report

#16

Having Reached The Base Of Mount Sharp, Curiosity Captured This Image Of Its Rocky Surroundings

Having Reached The Base Of Mount Sharp, Curiosity Captured This Image Of Its Rocky Surroundings

marscuriosity Report

#17

Wheel Scuff Mark At 'Rocknest'

Wheel Scuff Mark At 'Rocknest'

NASA Report

#18

Focusing The 100-Millimeter Mastcam

Focusing The 100-Millimeter Mastcam

NASA Report

#19

Curiosity Arrived At This Active Sand Dune Named "Gobabeb", Which Is Part Of A Larger Dune Field Known As "Bagnold"

Curiosity Arrived At This Active Sand Dune Named "Gobabeb", Which Is Part Of A Larger Dune Field Known As "Bagnold"

marscuriosity Report

#20

View From Mars Orbiter Showing Curiosity Rover At 'Shaler'

View From Mars Orbiter Showing Curiosity Rover At 'Shaler'

NASA Report

#21

Mars Rover Curiosity In 'Buckskin' Selfie

Mars Rover Curiosity In 'Buckskin' Selfie

NASA Report

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#22

Layers At The Base Of Mount Sharp

Layers At The Base Of Mount Sharp

NASA Report

#23

Getting To Know Mount Sharp

Getting To Know Mount Sharp

NASA Report

#24

Curiosity Tracks In 'Hidden Valley' On Mars

Curiosity Tracks In 'Hidden Valley' On Mars

NASA Report

#25

Curiosity Rover's View Of Alluring Martian Geology

Curiosity Rover's View Of Alluring Martian Geology

NASA Report

#26

Curiosity Self-Portrait At 'Windjana' Drilling Site

Curiosity Self-Portrait At 'Windjana' Drilling Site

NASA Report

#27

A Mudstone Rock Outcrop At The Base Of Mount Sharp

A Mudstone Rock Outcrop At The Base Of Mount Sharp

marscuriosity Report

#28

Bone Up On Mars Rock Shapes

Bone Up On Mars Rock Shapes

NASA Report

#29

Strata At Base Of Mount Sharp

Strata At Base Of Mount Sharp

NASA Report

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#30

Resistant Features In 'Pahrump Hills' Outcrop

Resistant Features In 'Pahrump Hills' Outcrop

NASA Report

Note: this post originally had 44 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.