Media Invited to The Mars Yard at JPL

WHAT: Media are invited to the Mars Yard at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, where engineers and scientists are testing engineering models of NASA’s Curiosity rover in a sandy, Mars-like environment. The real Curiosity rover, part of the Mars Science Laboratory mission, is on its way to the Red Planet, with a planned arrival and landing on the evening of Aug. 5 PDT (early morning Aug. 6 EDT). Engineers at JPL will demonstrate how the rover models drive.

WHO: Several experts from the mission will be available for interviews, including scientists, rover drivers, robotic arm specialists, operations planners and rover “entry, descent and landing” engineers.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to noon PDT.

WHERE: JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Calif. 91109

CONTACT: RSVP to Whitney Clavin in the JPL Media Relations Office at 818-354-4673 by 3 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, July 24. Valid photo I.D. and media credentials are required, and non-U.S. citizens must also bring a passport.