Nasa rover begins journey in search of life on Mars

26 November 2011 Last updated at 16:28 ET Help

Nasa has launched its most ambitious rover mission to Mars - starring a 900kg robot that will look to find out whether the planet is, or ever has been, suitable for life.

An Atlas 5 launch rocket carrying the six-wheeled vehicle blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 10:02 local time (15:02 GMT) on Saturday.

Nicknamed Curiosity, the rover will take eight and a half months to cross the vast distance to its destination.

Jonathan Amos reports.

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