There does seem to be an element of defilement involved. No more than the other rovers, I guess, but Curiosity is sort of “industrial strength”. The landing was quite the train wreck, from the amount of detritus it created. Of course, it’s only because of the all-seeing MRO that we notice this, and that’s what got me thinking along these lines.
Ironically of course, it’s the fantastic imagery from Curiosity, and the feeling it creates that Mars is indeed a strange and mysterious place, that makes Curiosity itself seem to be a rude intruder.
Gotta think of ee cummings’ O sweet spontaneous earth: “How often has the naughty thumb of science prodded thy beauty”
No more than once a year. And of course, an occasional colonoscopy.