It gives us basic capabilities for operating the rover on the surface, but we have planned all along to switch over after landing to a version of flight software that is really optimized for surface operations.

ENGADGET: NASA's Curiosity rover receives long-distance OTA update, 'brain transplant' on Mars

When we come back we're going to switch gears again and talk about the 30th anniversary of the Martian lander, the Viking, landing on Mars 30 years ago this week.

NPR: Electronics Pioneer William Shockley's Legacy