Space

NASA’s Curiosity Rover makes discovery on Mars that changes our understanding of the red planet

  • NASA’s Curiosity rover just discovered something incredible on Mars
  • The rover has been active for 4,600+ days
  • It has so far covered around 30+ km on Mars

Published on Mar 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis

Last updated on Mar 27, 2025 at 12:42 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

Curiosity, one of the most advanced and newest rovers designed by NASA, just discovered something incredible on Mars.

The little rover identified organic-like molecules preserved in the planet’s mudstone.

This discovery stems from 12 years of analysis and research, but it’s further – potential – proof that there was life on Mars at some point.

Now just we have to wait for Mr Musk and SpaceX to take us there.

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Groundbreaking news from Mars

NASA‘s Curiosity was launched in November 2011 and has spent the last 14 years collecting data from the red planet.

These molecules, embedded in mudstone, are the largest organic compounds ever found on Mars.

The presence of organic molecules, like alkanes, brings extra fuel to the fire for people who believe Mars once had conditions potentially suitable for life.

NASA's Curiosity rover took this selfie on Oct. 11, 2019, the 2,553rd Martian day of its mission.
NASA

Although we should probably point out that this discovery obviously doesn’t directly confirm the existence of anything.

Yet.

About Curiosity and its multi-billion dollar mission

NASA could have just found signs of life on Mars
NASA

Curiosity is a tiny rover that’s been active on Mars for over 4,600 days.

It launched in November 2011 and was deployed nine months later in August 2012.

The rover is currently exploring Gale crater, which most scientists agree is actually a dry lake.

It’s 2.9 meters long and around 900kg in weight, making it roughly the same size and weight as the first-generation Smart car.

NASA could have just found signs of life on Mars Curiosity
NASA

The little rover has been collecting data and sharing images for well over a decade, and it’s definitely done at good job so far.

Among other things, Curiosity discovered liquid water ripples on Mars. It also detected sulfur under the surface which, according to scientists, ‘shouldn’t be there.’

As of March 2025, Curiosity has covered a distance of nearly 30km on Mars.

According to NASA, Curiosity has a life-cycle cost north of $3 billion, although obviously this value will continue to go up due to inflation.

But the data and sheer brilliance it’s sent back are priceless.

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Experienced content creator with a strong focus on cars and watches. Alessandro penned the first-ever post on the Supercar Blondie website and covers cars, watches, yachts, real estate and crypto. Former DriveTribe writer, fixed gear bike owner, obsessed with ducks for some reason.