Mars Mission Log
A chronicle of robotic envoys sent to explore the Red Planet, paving the way for future human endeavors.
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover
Ongoing
Operator: NASA
Launch Date: July 30, 2020
Searching for signs of ancient microbial life, collecting rock and soil samples for possible return to Earth, and demonstrating technologies for future human exploration.
Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity Rover)
Ongoing
Operator: NASA
Launch Date: November 26, 2011
Assessing whether Mars ever had an environment able to support small life forms called microbes and determining the planet's habitability.
InSight Lander
Success
Operator: NASA
Launch Date: May 5, 2018
Studied the deep interior of Mars to learn how all celestial bodies with rocky surfaces, including Earth and the Moon, formed.
Tianwen-1
Ongoing
Operator: CNSA
Launch Date: July 23, 2020
China's first Mars mission, consisting of an orbiter, a lander, and a rover (Zhurong). Aims to study Martian geology and search for water ice.
Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Probe)
Ongoing
Operator: UAESA (MBRSC)
Launch Date: July 19, 2020
The first interplanetary mission by an Arab nation, studying the Martian atmosphere and weather patterns.
Viking 1
Success
Operator: NASA
Launch Date: August 20, 1975
The first spacecraft to successfully land on Mars and perform its mission. Comprised of an orbiter and a lander, it returned extensive data and images.