![Curiosity Lays Its First Tracks on Mars [PICS]](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/archives/06VHuMB5J9HLRU92DYkJCBS/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1647021296.jpg)
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After three weeks of preparations, the car-sized Mars Curiosity rover started making tracks on the Red Planet on Wednesday. In a press conference, NASA revealed a 360° panorama taken by the roving craft, which moved about 15 feet in its first foray on the planet's surface, then rotated 120° and moved backward approximately 8 feet.
The spacecraft is now about 20 feet away from its landing site.
Take a look at the gallery below for selected crops of the 360° photo, or click here to see the entire panorama, which is composed of 23 frames arranged in a cylindrical projection.
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