when was the mars curiosity rover built?
<answer> Aug. 5, 2012 <context> Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover. ABOUT THE MISSION. The Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover, the most technologically advanced rover ever built, landed in Mars' Gale Crater the evening of Aug. 5, 2012 PDT (morning of Aug. 6 EDT) using a series of complicated landing maneuvers never before attempted.