Rather than killing the proverbial cat, Curiosity has shifted its focus to other activities—namely, exploring and photographing Martian terrain.

Nearly two months after touching down on Bradbury Landing, the Mars rover Curiosity continues its exploration of the Red Planet with excellent feedback. The rover reached its first landmark Monday, when it was able to reach out and touch, Jake Matijevic, a pyramid-shaped stone. This was the first contact with a Martian rock since its arrival.

Among the team of scientists and engineers are six San Diego State alumni: Joey Brown, Jordan P. Evans, Brandon Florow, Dave Herman, Mark Ryne and Bonnie Theberge.

Regarding the alumni’s participation in the monumental scientific project, aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics professor Joseph Katz said, “The alumni are doing more than just their job … they’re creating enthusiasm for the field.”

Katz said the team’s ultimate goal is “finding new minerals and such, but I think it’s more (proving) that humankind can get there. You can do a lot more with cheaper projects; you don’t have to send a human up there.”

After handling and photographing Jake Matijevic, Curiosity embarked on a 138-foot drive—its longest one- day trek—toward its next checkpoint, Glenelg. Comprised of three different types of terrain, Glenelg is an ideal location for the rover to test out its drilling capabilities.

The rover’s final destination is Mount Sharp, a 3.5-mile high mountain composed of hundreds of layers of rock and possible evidence leading to liquid water exposure on its foothills.