NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has captured an impressive picture of the Curiosity rover's nail-biting and extremely successful descent.

MRO is a satellite flying high above the Martian surface and beaming back amazing data about the planet. Before the descent, engineers were hoping to line up the orbiter in the right spot to capture a few quick shots of Curiosity's landing sequence and it appears they were able to. The image shows Curiosity's supersonic parachute – the largest ever used on an interplanetary mission – with the rover tucked beneath it.

MRO was able to pull off this feat back in 2008, when NASA's Mars Phoenix lander descended to the Martian surface. Higher-resolution images are expected to be available soon.

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech