Laser shoot-out on Mars: Curiosity burns hole in rock

Nasa’s Curiosity rover has zapped its first Martian rock, aiming its laser for the sake of science.

During the target practice yesterday Curiosity fired 30 pulses at a nearby rock over a 10-second window, burning a small hole.

Since landing in Gale Crater two weeks ago, the six-wheel rover has been checking out its instruments including the laser.

During its two-year mission, Curiosity was expected to point the laser at various rocks as it drives toward Mount Sharp, a three-mile-high mountain rising from the floor of the crater.

Its goal is to determine whether the Martian environment had ever been suitable to sustain life.

In several days, flight controllers will command Curiosity to move its wheels side-to-side and take its first short drive.

The £1.6 billion mission is the most expensive yet to Mars.