Deutsch notes that when the Mars Science Lab recently landed, as a backup capability the DSN used the Parkes Radio Observatory in Australia to look at its signal during entry, descent and landing.

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When NASA's Curiosity rover landed on the surface of Mars earlier this week, we joined together to celebrate the six-wheeled science lab.

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It includes a science lab that will collect mineral samples from the Red Planet, and try to determine if Mars is habitable.

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