The Mars Science Laboratory is now successfully on its way to Mars. Researchers here on Earth are now preparing for the immense amount of scientific data that the Curiosity rover will be sending when it reaches the martian surface next year. Among the 10 instruments mounted on Curiosity is ChemCam, developed by scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the French space institute (IRAP).

ChemCam is designed to fire a powerful laser pulse that can vaporize an area the size of a pinhead. The instrument is then able to analyze the vaporized material using a spectrometer – allowing scientists to determine the elemental composition of the material. ChemCam will help astrobiologists understand the potential for habitable environments on Mars as it searches for elements that are crucial for life, such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.