Astrobiology topics are: 1) Origin and evolution of planetary systems; 2) Origins of organic compounds in space; 3) Rock-water-carbon interactions, organic synthesis on Earth, and steps to life; 4) Life and habitability; 5) Biosignatures as facilitating life detection. In November 2011, NASA launched the Mars Science Laboratory mission carrying the "Curiosity" rover, which landed on Mars at Gale Crater in August 2012. The "Curiosity" rover is currently probing the environment for past and present planetary habitability of microbial life on Mars. On 9 December 2013, NASA reported that, based on evidence from "Curiosity" studying Aeolis Palus, Gale Crater contained an ancient
Mars Exploration Rover Reddit that appeared to depict a human penis carved into the Martian dirt. On May 16, 2013, NASA announced that "Opportunity" had driven further than any other NASA vehicle on a world other than Earth. After "Opportunity's" total odometry went over , the rover surpassed the total distance driven by the Apollo 17 Lunar Roving Vehicle. On July 28, 2014, NASA announced that "Opportunity" had driven further than any other vehicle on a world other than Earth. "Opportunity" covered over , surpassing the total distance of driven by the Lunokhod 2 lunar rover, the previous record-holder. On March 23, 2015,