ChemCam to Determine Mars Habitability

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) researcher Roger Wiens discusses the ChemCam instrument on the Curiosity Rover that occurred during a NASA press conference prior to launch of the Mars Science Laboratory. The ChemCam instrument was developed by LANL and the French Space Institute. ChemCam uses a laser to 'zap' features of the Martian landscape and then uses a spectrometer to gather information about the composition of the sample. ChemCam will help the Curiosity Rover determine whether Mars is or was habitable. The Rover is expected to touch down on Mars on August 5, 2012.