Curiosity rover finds Mars smells like ‘your Gran’

Mars News: The latest data sent back from the Curiosity rover suggests Mars has a slightly musty smell with notes of lavender, much like your Gran.

After having successfully landed on Mars, the NASA rover Curiosity has now conducted its first chemical test on the planet, using on board sensors to ‘sniff’ the Martian air.

“Mars has a particularly complicated atmosphere and there was an incredible amount of data to sift through,” said Jimmy Hunt, deputy principal scientist of the Mars Exploration Program in Washington.

“The musty, eggy smells that we expected on Mars also have a slight hint of lavender potpourri, topped out with the unmissable note of overcooked meat pies. That’s how your Gran smells, isn’t it?”

Hunt was keen to stress this is an important step in the eventual human colonisation of Mars.

“Now we know what Mars smells like, we can prepare future generations on what to expect. They should expect it to smell like your Gran. Can we borrow her?”

Story: Simon Swatman