NASA’s Rover ‘Curiosity’ Safely Lands On The Surface Of Mars [VIDEO]

History was made early Monday morning when the $2.6 billion NASA rover named "Curiosity" made its dramatic arrival on Martian terrain, Mars. Yes, as one NASA scientist put it, "We are now on Mars." NASA's rover Curiosity successfully carried out a highly challenging landing on Mars early Monday, transmitting images back to Earth after traveling hundreds of millions of miles through space in order to explore the Red Planet. The rover made a smooth landing on the "red planet" thanks to a sky crane and a supersonic parachute.

The entire process, which was one with great risks, was controlled in NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. As soon as the rover landed gently on the red surface, the entire room filled with scientists erupted with jubilation. Now, we are on Mars!!!

This monumental landing on Mars will now allow scientists to view Mars from a whole new perspective. Perhaps now we will be able to understand if the planet was ever suitable for life in the past or present.

According to CNN, the spacecraft had been traveling away from Earth since November 26 on a journey of approximately 352 million miles (567 million kilometers), according to NASA. To follow the progress of "Curiosity" on Mars and see pictures of the red planet, follow Curiosity on Twitter.