The Mars Descent Imager captured high-resolution, full-color video of the Martian surface as the Curiosity rover descended through the atmosphere. Mounted on the front-left side of the rover body, it provided a visual record of the landing site and geological context from an aerial perspective. After landing, it continues to take images of the ground immediately beneath the rover.
The MARDI footage confirmed we touched down exactly in the center of the landing ellipse.
Related terms
Mars rover
A Mars rover is an automated motor vehicle designed to travel across the surface of Mars.
MAHLI
The Mars Hand Lens Imager is a high-resolution camera mounted on the robotic arm of the Curiosity rover.
MastCam
A multispectral imaging system mounted on the elevated structure of a planetary rover.