MSFC DIRECTOR PATRICK SCHEUERMANN TOURS THE TEST AREA ALONG WITH SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE DIRECTOR STEVE CASH, DENNIS STRICKLAND, AND JOHN PEA.

MSFC DIRECTOR PATRICK SCHEUERMANN TOURS THE TEST AREA ALONG WITH SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE DIRECTOR STEVE CASH, DENNIS STRICKLAND, AND JOHN PEA.

Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Russian Lada greenhouse provides home to an experiment that investigates plant development and genetics. Space grown peas have dried and "gone to seed." The crew of the ISS will soon harvest the seeds. Eventually some will be replanted onboard the ISS, and some will be returned to Earth for further study.

Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the Russian Lada greenhouse provides home to an experiment that investigates plant development and genetics. Space grown peas have dried and "gone to seed." The crew of the ISS will soon harvest the seeds. Eventually some will be replanted onboard the ISS, and some will be returned to Earth for further study.

ISS007-E-05295 (May 2003) --- Inside the Russian Lada greenhouse, these peas have dried and “gone to seed.” They are part of an experiment to investigate plant development and genetics. The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) will soon harvest the seeds. Eventually, some will be re-planted onboard the ISS and some will be returned to Earth for further study.

This patch of Martian bedrock, about 2 feet 70 centimeters across, is finely layered rock with some pea-size inclusions. It lies near the lowest point of the Pahrump Hills outcrop, which forms part of the basal layer of Mount Sharp.

MSFC DIRECTOR PATRICK SCHEUERMANN TOURS THE TEST AREA ALONG WITH SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE DIRECTOR STEVE CASH, DENNIS STRICKLAND, AND JOHN PEA.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Several different types of 21-day-old plants grow in analog VEGGIE pillows include, from right, Outredgeous red romaine lettuce, Bright Lights Swiss chard, Cherry Bomb II radish, Tokyo Bekana Chinese cabbage and Sugar Pod II snow pea. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are going to receive a newly developed Vegetable Production System VEGGIE. VEGGIE is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule on NASA's third Commercial Resupply Services mission targeted to launch Dec. 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Gioia Massa

ISS012-E-15387 (24 Jan. 2006) --- A view of pea plants growing in the Lada greenhouse as a part of the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (Plants-2) plant growth experiment located in the Zvezda Service Module photographed by an Expedition 12 crewmember on the International Space Station.

ISS016-E-031242 (6 March 2008) --- Cosmonaut Yuri I. Malenchenko, Expedition 16 flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, checks the progress of pea plants growing in the Russian Lada greenhouse in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

ISS008-E-21908 (12 April 2004)--- Astronaut C. Michael Foale, Expedition 8 commander and NASA ISS science officer, poses beside the pea plants growing in the Lada-4 greenhouse as part of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (Plants-2) experiment located in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

Nikki Giovanni, a poet and professor at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, reads her poem entitled "Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea (We’re Going to Mars)" via a pre-recorded video at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

ISS008-E-21916 (12 April 2004)--- Astronaut C. Michael Foale (left), Expedition 8 commander and NASA ISS science officer; and Alexander Kaleri, Russia's Federal Space Agency flight engineer, pose beside the pea plants growing in the Lada-4 greenhouse as part of the BIO-5 Rasteniya-2 (Plants-2) experiment located in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station.

iss050e057655 (3/15/2020) --- Photographic documentation during Auxin Transport sample transfer to Minus Eighty-Degree Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI) insertion. Studies on Gravity-Controlled Growth and Development in Plants Using True Microgravity Conditions (Auxin Transport) clarifies the role of auxins in pea and maize (corn) seedlings grown in microgravity, leading to new insight into how gravity, or the lack of gravity, affects plant development.

The audience watches as Nikki Giovanni, a poet and professor at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, reads her poem entitled "Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea (We’re Going to Mars)" via a pre-recorded video at at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on Monday, June 23, 2014 in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the influence of the Civil Rights Act on NASA. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

ISS008-E-18534 (March 2004) --- A close-up view, taken by an Expedition 8 crewmember, shows the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (Plants-2) plant growth experiment located in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS007-E-05458 (15 May 2003) --- Cosmonaut Yuri I. Malenchenko, Expedition Seven mission commander, works with the Russian Lada greenhouse in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station (ISS). Malenchenko represents Rosaviakosmos.

ISS006-E-44973 (6 April 2003) --- A close up view of a bloom on the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (Plants-2) plant growth experiment, which is located in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS006-E-44969 (6 April 2003) --- A close up view of a bloom on the Russian BIO-5 Rasteniya-2/Lada-2 (Plants-2) plant growth experiment, which is located in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station (ISS).

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, hears about the space shuttle mission plaques lining the lobby of the Launch Control Center (LCC) from NASA's Charlie Blackwell Thompson. Also viewing the plaques in the background are NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education. The visit to the LCC followed their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (center), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, talks with employees on hand during his tour of the Operations and Checkout Building (O&C). The visit to the O&C followed his participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, and television personality Bill Nye the Science Guy pose in front of a picture of a space shuttle being lifted into a high bay following their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (left), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, receives a briefing from Larry Price, Lockheed Martin deputy program manager, on the Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle and the Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket during a tour of the Operations and Checkout Building (O&C). The visit to the O&C followed Will.i.am's participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, presenters and Kennedy personnel supporting a NASA Tweetup get a close-up look at space shuttle Endeavour being stored in the Vehicle Assembly Building. From left are Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at Kennedy; NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver; former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education; and Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (at center), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, tours Firing Room 4 in the Launch Control Center accompanied by NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver (green jacket); former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education (blue flight suit); and Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at Kennedy. The visit to the firing room followed their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –Outredgeous red romaine lettuce plants grow inside in a prototype VEGGIE flight pillow. The bellows of the hardware have been lowered to better observe the plants. A small temperature and relative humidity data logger is placed between the pillows small white box, central. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are going to receive a newly developed Vegetable Production System VEGGIE. VEGGIE is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule on NASA's third Commercial Resupply Services mission targeted to launch Dec. 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Gioia Massa

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –Outredgeous red romaine lettuce plants grow inside the bellows of a prototype VEGGIE flight pillow. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are going to receive a newly developed Vegetable Production System VEGGIE. VEGGIE is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule on NASA's third Commercial Resupply Services mission targeted to launch Dec. 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Gioia Massa

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Outredgeous red romaine lettuce plants grow inside the bellows of a prototype VEGGIE flight pillow. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are going to receive a newly developed Vegetable Production System VEGGIE. VEGGIE is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule on NASA's third Commercial Resupply Services mission targeted to launch Dec. 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Bryan Onate

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A 28-day-old Outredgeous red romaine lettuce plant grows in a prototype VEGGIE flight pillow. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are going to receive a newly developed Vegetable Production System VEGGIE. VEGGIE is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule on NASA's third Commercial Resupply Services mission targeted to launch Dec. 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Gioia Massa

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – This prototype VEGGIE hardware was designed and built by Orbital Technologies Corp. of Madison, Wisc. U.S. astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station are going to receive a newly developed Vegetable Production System VEGGIE. VEGGIE is set to launch aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule on NASA's third Commercial Resupply Services mission targeted to launch Dec. 9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA/Gioia Massa

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (left), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, accompanied by Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at Kennedy; former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education (blue flight suit), and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver (green jacket), receives a tour of the Operations and Checkout Building (O&C) from Larry Price, Lockheed Martin deputy program manager. The visit to the O&C followed their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, gets a close-up look at the agency's Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle during a tour of the Operations and Checkout Building (O&C). Beside him is Larry Price, Lockheed Martin deputy program manager, the tour escort. Behind him are former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education (blue flight suit), and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver (green jacket). The visit to the O&C followed their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, presenters in a NASA Tweetup tour the Operations and Checkout Building (O&C). Listening to a briefing from from Larry Price, Lockheed Martin deputy program manager, on the Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle are, from left, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver (green jacket); former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education (blue flight suit); Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at Kennedy; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas; and Lars Perkins, chair of the Education and Public Outreach Committee of the NASA Advisory Council. The visit to the O&C followed their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Will.i.am, left, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, and former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education, take part in a Tweetup at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch. Behind them glint the lights of the launch countdown clock. Participants in the Tweetup are given the opportunity to listen to agency briefings, tour locations on the center normally off limits to visitors, and get a close-up view of Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from pad 41 is planned during a launch window which extends from 10:02 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – From left, Lars Perkins, chair of the Education and Public Outreach Committee of the NASA Advisory Council; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of the pop group The Black Eyed Peas; NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver; former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education; and television personality Bill Nye the Science Guy share a light moment with the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch. Participants in the Tweetup are given the opportunity to listen to agency briefings, tour locations on the center normally off limits to visitors, and get a close-up view of Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from pad 41 is planned during a launch window which extends from 10:02 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – From left, former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas; and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver share a light moment with the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch. Participants in the Tweetup are given the opportunity to listen to agency briefings, tour locations on the center normally off limits to visitors, and get a close-up view of Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from pad 41 is planned during a launch window which extends from 10:02 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – From left, Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at NASA Kennedy Space Center; NASA Administrator Charles Bolden; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas; and former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education, take part in a Tweetup at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch. Behind them, the countdown clock ticks off the seconds to launch. Participants in the Tweetup are given the opportunity to listen to agency briefings, tour locations on the center normally off limits to visitors, and get a close-up view of Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from pad 41 is planned during a launch window which extends from 10:02 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – From left, Lars Perkins, chair of the Education and Public Outreach Committee of the NASA Advisory Council; former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas; and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver talk to the participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch. Participants in the Tweetup are given the opportunity to listen to agency briefings, tour locations on the center normally off limits to visitors, and get a close-up view of Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from pad 41 is planned during a launch window which extends from 10:02 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin