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 |
Visit MSL for Scientists for technical information on science planning
