Editing Mars Science Laboratory (section)

=== Spacecraft ===
[[File:MSL final assembly 2011-7372.jpg|thumb|Mars Science Laboratory in final assembly]]
[[File:MSL-spacecraft-exploded-view.png|thumb|upright|left|Diagram of the MSL spacecraft: '''1- '''Cruise stage; '''2-''' Backshell; '''3-''' Descent stage; '''4-''' [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'' rover]]; '''5-''' [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/multimedia/raw/?rawid=0000MD9999000031E1_DXXX&s=0 Heat shield]; '''6-''' Parachute]]
The spacecraft flight system had a mass at launch of {{convert|3893|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, consisting of an Earth-Mars fueled [[cruise (flight)|cruise stage]] ({{convert|539|kg|lb|abbr=on}}), the entry-descent-landing (EDL) system ({{convert|2401|kg|lb|abbr=on}} including {{convert|390|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of landing [[propellant]]), and a {{convert|899|kg|lb|abbr=on}} mobile rover with an integrated instrument package.<ref name="Mars Science Laboratory Landing Press Kit"/><ref name="DESCANSO"/>

The MSL spacecraft includes spaceflight-specific instruments, in addition to utilizing one of the rover instruments — Radiation assessment detector (RAD) — during the spaceflight transit to Mars.
* '''MSL EDL Instrument (MEDLI):''' The MEDLI project's main objective is to measure aerothermal environments, sub-surface heat shield material response, vehicle orientation, and atmospheric density.<ref name="MSLMEDLIProject"/> The MEDLI instrumentation suite was installed in the heatshield of the MSL entry vehicle. The acquired data will support future Mars missions by providing measured atmospheric data to validate [[Atmosphere of Mars|Mars atmosphere]] models and clarify the lander design margins on future Mars missions. MEDLI instrumentation consists of three main subsystems: MEDLI Integrated Sensor Plugs (MISP), Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System (MEADS) and the Sensor Support Electronics (SSE).