Curiosity Takes Historic Sample on Mars

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At the center of this image from NASA's Curiosity rover is the hole in a rock called "John Klein" where the rover conducted its first sample drilling on Mars.
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At the center of this image from NASA’s Curiosity rover is the hole in a rock called “John Klein” where the rover conducted its first sample drilling on Mars.

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has, for the first time, used a drill on the end of a robotic arm to bore into a rock on the planet.

NASA calls this a proud day for the United States and the biggest milestone accomplishment for the Curiosity team since the rover arrived on Mars in August.

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Directed by engineers on Earth, powder from the rock will travel up flutes on the drill bit for eventual deposit into a special chamber for analysis.

Scientists believe the rock being drilled has evidence of what may have been water on Mars.  A moist environment is essential for life.

Scientists are looking for signs that life may have at one time existed on Mars.

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