NASA’s Curiosity rover continues to provide valuable science from Mar’s surface, more than 4,000 martian days since its landing.

The rover has just drilled its 39th sample for analysis to determine how the planet’s geology has changed over the past billion years. It is slowly ascending up the side of a mountain to sample material that was formed at different eras in Mar’s past.

Research has found minerals that were likely created when salty water evaporated billions of years ago when the planet had liquid water. It has also found minerals that were created as the planet continued to dry out and become the desolate red planet it is now.

The rover is an engineering marvel. It is on its fourth extended mission and continues to provide outstanding science. Scientists are working to extend its mission by looking at ways to prolong the rover’s drivetrain by reducing wear and tear. It is also dealing with camera issues it hopes can be resolved.

Rover communication with mission control is currently not possible through November 28th. Mars is opposite the sun from Earth until that time.