After a malfunction that booted the little guy into safe mode – we're assuming the intergalactic version of a BSOD – the Mars Curiosity Rover is once again transmitting pictures across the cosmos to our humble blue marble of a planet.

Unfortunately however, the little guy may need to take a break throughout April, as the Sun is set to pass between us and Mars, making communications difficult at best – you know, because the Sun is ridiculously big. However, this doesn't mean that lil' Rover will be sitting idle. While he will receive no commands – that could potentially be corrupted – between 4th April and 1st May, Curiosity will be continuing his previously scheduled functions and experiments.

So far Curiosity has not only sent back fascinating pictures of the red planet, but has also discovered a white rock which adds to the evidence pile that Mars once had flowing water on its surface.

The Rover was forced to halt in its tracks recently however, due to a series of setbacks. These included a memory failure, followed by a shut down during a solar storm and finally a random glitch forced scientists to send Curiosity into temporary safe mode.

KitGuru Says: I'm really, really looking forward to the first manned Mars mission. I feel lucky that we're part of the generation that gets to witness that. Of course those in their mid-50s will no doubt remember the moon landing as it happened. While I wouldn't trade my virile young form for yours, that's a pretty cool memory to have.

Thanks NBC

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