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17 July 2012 Last updated at 16:08

Nasa launches Mars landing game for Xbox Kinect

Artist's impression of Mars Curiosity rover

US space agency Nasa's Mars Science Laboratory has launched a free XBox game to land a space rover on Mars - catchily called Mars Rover Landing.

Nasa say users can "take control of their own spacecraft using Kinect and face the extreme challenges of landing a rover on Mars."

Microsoft and Nasa say they also plan to launch a "Be A Martian" mobile app for Android devices and iPhones.

The real rover, Curiosity, is due to land on Mars on 6 August.

screenshot of mars rover Xbox game The XBox game is one of several new developments between Microsoft and Nasa

Their aim is to help people learn more about whether Mars was ever a habitat, meaning a place that supports life.

Nasa say they have other collaborations in the pipeline including free software called Kodu, which allows kids to learn how to program their own computer games.

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