NASA Workers Celebrate the Success of Their Mission to Land On Mars (Video)

NASA and White House say the successful Mars landing of rover Curiosity proves U.S. leadership in space exploration. NASA mission controllers erupted in cheers as science rover Curiosity lands safely in an ancient, Martian crater.

It took the rover eight months to reach the planet and just seven minutes to land after making the perilous descent at more than 20,000 km-per-hour.

Watch: NASA Workers Celebrate the Success of Their Mission to Land On Mars (Video)