A NASA animation of the Mars rover exploration
PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA is preparing for what the head of its Mars exploration program calls the "Super Bowl of planetary exploration."
A high-tech rover is closing in on Mars, where early Monday morning it will attempt a tricky new landing technique.
If all goes as planned, the rover Curiosity will hit the top of the Martian atmosphere at 13,000 mph, use its brakes and a parachute to slow it down, then lower itself by cables into a massive crater.
Landing is scheduled for 1:30a.m. Monday (EST).
For more on the NASA Mars mission, click here.