LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scientists were preparing to send Curiosity on its first test drive Wednesday over the billion-year-old rocks of Mars and said a busted wind sensor wouldn't jeopardize its mission of determining whether life could exist there.

Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena turned four of the rover's six wheels in place this week in a successful "wheel wiggle" to test the steering for the short trek, mission manager Mike Watkins said.

The rover will move forward about 10 feet (3 meters), turn right, then back up and park slightly to the left of its old spot, Watkins said.