Mission Timeline Summary

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    msl_timeline

    Key Dates

    Launch: November 26, 2011
    Launch Location: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
    Landed: August 5, 2012
    Mission Duration: 2012 - Present
    Rover Mass: 899 kilograms (1,982 pounds)
    Electrical Power: Radioisotope Power System
    Rocket: Atlas V 541
    Mission Fact Sheet: Mission Fact Sheet (PDF, 768 KB)

    The phases of the mission include:

    Pre-launch Activities Preparation for the mission, including landing site selection, assembly and testing, and delivery to Cape Canaveral
    Launch Lift-off from Earth
    Cruise Voyage through space to Mars
    Approach Nearing the red planet
    Entry, Descent, and Landing Journey through the martian atmosphere to the surface
    First Drive After landing when engineers first conduct tests to ensure the rover is in a "safe state"
    Surface Operations Learning about Mars through the day-to-day activities of the rover