A Russian neutron detector on board NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity was activated on Friday to start searching for any water along the rover's path.

      The DAN detector, developed at the Space Research Institute under an agreement between NASA and Federal Space Agency Roscosmos, is Russia’s contribution to the Mars rover. The detector is expected to scout for underground minerals to a depth of about 50 centimeters with a help of a special nuclear technology. The neutron generator is mounted on Curiosity's right hip. A module with two neutron detectors is mounted on the left hip.

      Curiosity, the biggest and the most scientifically complex Mars rover, successfully touched down on the Red Planet last Monday. Currently, the rover gradually turns on its scientific equipment to carry out geological and geo-chemical research, to study the planet’s atmosphere and climate, and to search for water and organic substances.