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Video caption: Preview of Mars Curiosity Parade Float. Jim Green, Director of the Science Mission Directorate Planetary Systems Division at NASA Headquarters, describes the replica of the Mars Curiosity Rover on the second NASA float in Mondays (Jan 21, 2013) presidential inaugural parade. Parade photos below

Full scale models of NASAs Curiosity Mars rover and the Orion crew capsule are participating in the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Parade on Monday, Jan 21, 2013, in Washington, DC representing NASAs robotic and human spaceflight endeavors.

The fantastically successful Curiosity rover is discovering widespread evidence for the ancient flow of liquid water on Mars.

The Orion multi-purpose capsule will take our astronauts back to the Moon and farther into space than ever.

NASA is the ONLY federal agency asked to be in the inaugural parade and now Curiosity is leading the NASA group with Orion after Curiosity.

Update 530 PM EDT - NASAs 2 floats just passed by a cheering and waving President Obama & VP Biden at the reviewing stand in front of the White House prominently near the front of the parade. See float photos from the parade below

Walking alongside both floats are members of the Curiosity team from NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory including Mohawk Guy and several current and former astronauts.

The participating astronauts are Alvin Drew, Serena Aunon, Kate Rubins, Mike Massimino, Lee Morin and Kjell Lindgren, as well as Leland Melvin, NASAs associate administrator for Education, and John Grunsfeld, NASAs associate administrator for Science.

The marching team for Curiosity includes Richard Cook-project manager (from JPL), Bobak Ferdowsi (otherwise known as Mohawk Guy)-flight director (from JPL), Dave Lavery program executive (from NASA Headquarters) , Michael Meyer program Scientist (from NASA Headquarters), Jennifer Trosper-mission manager (from JPL) and Ashwin Vasavada, Deputy Project Scientist (from JPL)

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NASA’s Curiosity and Orion Shine at Presidential Inaugural Parade