The overarching strategy of NASA's Mars Exploration Program has long been to follow the water, and Curiosity is no exception.

MSN: Curiosity aims to unlock Mars mysteries - Technology & science - Space - Space.com | NBC News

"This is the most challenging landing we have ever attempted, " said Doug McCuistion, director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mars exploration program.

WSJ: NASA's Robot Lab Curiosity Nears Mars

Michael Meyer, lead scientist for NASA's Mars Exploration Program, said the observations provided the strongest evidence to date that water still flowed occasionally on the surface of Mars.

CNN: Life on Mars?

In Yellowknife Bay, the area where the rover is located, it appears "slightly salty liquid water" was once there, said Michael Meyer, lead scientist for the Mars Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

CNN: NASA: Yes, Mars could have hosted life

By organizing the human spaceflight program with Mars in mind, NASA can develop a near-term investment and exploration agenda that gets us somewhere interesting without any additional commitment of funding.

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