Gale (crater) the "Curiosity" rover will continue to explore higher and younger layers of Mount Sharp in order to determine how the lake environment in ancient times on Mars became the drier environment in more modern times. On August 5, 2017, NASA celebrated the fifth anniversary of the "Curiosity" rover mission landing, and related exploratory accomplishments, on the planet Mars. (Videos: "Curiosity" First Five Years (02:07); "Curiosity" POV: Five Years Driving (05:49); "Curiosity" Discoveries About Gale Crater (02:54)) On June 7, 2018, NASA's Curiosity made two significant discoveries in the Gale crater. Organic molecules preserved in 3.5 billion-year-old bedrock and seasonal variations
Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory atmosphere. This creates wind, which in turn stirs up more dust. This results in a feedback loop that scientists are still trying to understand. NASA reported on June 20, 2018 that the dust storm had grown to completely cover the entire planet. On June 4, 2018, NASA announced that "Curiosity" ability to drill has been sufficiently restored by engineers. The rover had experienced drill mechanical problems since December 2016. On June 7, 2018, NASA announced a cyclical seasonal variation in atmospheric methane, as well as the presence of kerogen and other complex organic compounds. The organic compounds were from mudstone