Mars Mission To Inspire Man's Next Giant Leap

Nasa officials hope the latest contact with Curiosity will be an inspiration to the person who will become the first to stand on the surface of Mars.

The rover made history by beaming the first audio recording of a human voice back to Earth from the surface of another planet.

The recording was made by Nasa administrator Charlie Bolden, congratulating staff on their achievements.

Mars Science Laboratory Program Executive Dave Lavery said Curiosity represents the next step in extending the human presence beyond Earth.

"As Curiosity continues her mission we hope that the words of the administrator will be an inspiration to someone who is alive today, who will become the first to stand upon the surface of the planet Mars," he said.

"Like the great Neil Armstrong , they will be able to speak aloud in first person at that point of the next giant leap in human exploration."

Curiosity is also set to begin taking its first samples of the Martian atmosphere. Sample Analysis at Mars (Sam) principal investigator Paul Mahaffy said the atmospheric readings will give scientists a better understanding of Mars' history.

Nasa officials also announced they would begin driving Curiosity longer distances along the Gale Crater in the near future.