NASA's Curiosity rover recently celebrated its 13th anniversary on Mars, marking over a decade of exploration and scientific discovery.

Engineers have enhanced Curiosity's productivity by increasing its autonomy and multitasking capabilities, allowing it to perform tasks more efficiently.

Unlike its solar-powered predecessors, Curiosity utilizes a multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) to generate energy from decaying plutonium, providing a continuous power supply.

These improvements are designed to optimize the energy usage of the MMRTG, ensuring the rover can continue its mission despite the diminishing energy output over time.

Curiosity has begun to combine tasks, such as transmitting data to an orbiter while conducting other activities, which helps reduce overall power consumption.

Recent advancements also allow Curiosity to autonomously decide when to take naps after completing tasks early, further conserving energy for future operations.

Currently, Curiosity is exploring an area with boxwork formations on Mount Sharp, which may provide insights into the planet's ancient climate and the potential for past microbial life.

The rover is equipped with various scientific instruments and cameras that require careful energy management, making efficient power use critical for its operations.

Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are continuously adapting Curiosity's power budget to meet the challenges of the Martian environment, such as dust and temperature fluctuations.

Over the years, software updates and mechanical adjustments have improved Curiosity's drilling capabilities and reduced wear on its wheels, ensuring it can continue its exploratory missions.

Having traveled 22 miles (35 kilometers) on Mars, Curiosity is expected to remain operational for years to come despite some wear and damage to its wheels.

These advancements enable Curiosity to continue conducting valuable scientific research as part of NASA's broader Mars Exploration Program.