Guests: John Batchelor, Dr. Ashwin Vasavada, Dr. David Livingston.  Topics:  Mars Curiosity updates and more.  You are invited to comment, ask questions, and discuss the Space Show program/guest(s) on the Space Show blog. Comments, questions, and any discussion must be relevant and applicable to Space Show programming. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are not permitted without prior written consent from The Space Show (even if for personal use) & are a violation of the Space Show copyright. We do not permit the commercial use of any Space Show program or part thereof, nor do we permit Space Show programs to be edited, placed on YouTube, or other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted in news articles, papers, academic & research work but must be cited or referenced in the proper citation format. Contact Dr. Livingston for questions about our copyright and trademark policies which we do enforce.  This program is archived on The Space Show website, podcasting, and blog sites with permission from John Batchelor. Please visit the John Batchelor Show website for more information about this fine program, www.johnbatchelorshow.com.  Remember, your Amazon Purchases Can Help Support The Space Show/OGLF (www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.  Please note that audio and transition issues are a result of copying the John Batchelor broadcast & are not within my control as they originate in the Batchelor studio.

John Batchelor and I welcomed back Dr. Ashwin Vasavada to update us with the status, activity, and findings for the Mars Curiosity rover.  During our double segment discussion, we talked about the giant dust storm on Mars, the repair of the Curiosity drilling function, the resumption of drilling and the finding of organics on Mars.  We talked about requirements for life detection, what would be found by drilling elsewhere on Mars, how many locations of life supporting findings need to be discovered to confirm past or present life on Mars.  Our guest also talked about why Gale Crater was selected and the overview of the geology in Gale Crater to make it a valuable rover target.

You can email Mr. Batchelor or Dr. Ashwin Vasavada through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com or Ashwin's JPL page.