Mars Science Laboratory aeroshell. Technicians working on the aeroshell for NASAs Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover. An aeroshell is a rigid heat-shielded shell that will protect the rover as it descends through Mars' atmosphere to the surface. The MSL is due for launch in November 2011 on a mission to determine if Mars is, or was ever, able to support microbial life. Photographed at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Denver, Colorado, USA, in 2008.