The Maple Leaf bound for Mars

2011-11-26 - The Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity and the CSA’s APXS launches in a glorious plume of fire and smoke from Cape Canaveral. Lift off was achieved on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 10:02 a.m. EST. APXS will determine the chemical composition of rocks and soil on Mars. (Credit: NASA)