The following table lists all missions to the Mars, including those that failed, starting with the most recent. The table is colour coded to reflect the lead country or space agency, and missions are listed by launch date. The RPIF, here at UNB holds data and images from many of the NASA led missions.
Launch Date |
Mission |
Success |
Type |
Instruments |
Goals |
Database |
First mission: Schiaparelli launched
03/2016. Second mission launch in 2020
|
ExoMars |
- |
Orbiter,
Lander &
Rover
|
Schiaparelli:
-Orbiter
-Lander (Humboldt payload): Ares, ATM, EISS, HP3, IRAS, LaRa, MEDUSA, MiniHUM, MSMO, SEIS, UVIS
2020 mission:
-Rover (Pasteur payload): PanCam, MIMA, WISDOM, CLUPI, MIMOSII, Raman-LIBS, MA_MISS, MicrOmega, Mars-XRD, MOMA, Urey
|
-Search for signs of past and present life on Mars.
-To characterise the water/ geochemical distribution as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface.
-To study the surface environment and identify hazards to future human missions.
-To investigate the planet's subsurface and deep interior to better understand the evolution and habitability of Mars.
|
- |
Scheduled Launch for 05/2018
|
Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport
(InSight) |
-- |
Lander |
-Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS)
-Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP3)
-Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE) |
-Study the deep interior of the planet
-Understand the evolutionary formation of rocky planets.
-Investigate Tectonic Activities.
-Investigate Meteorite Impacts. |
Yes |
11/2013 |
Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution
(MAVEN) |
Success
(Launch) |
Orbiter |
-Magnetometer
-Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer
-Langmuir Probe and Waves
-Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrometer
-Solar Wind Electron Analyzer
-Solar Wind Ion Analyzer
-Solar Energetic Particles
-SupraThermal And Thermal Ion Composition
|
-Explore the upper atmosphere and ionosphere
-Investigate the interactions with the sun and solar wind
-Determine the history of Mars’ atmosphere and climate |
Yes |
11/2013 |
Mars
Orbiter
Mission
(MOM)
|
Success
(Launch) |
Orbiter |
-Lyman Alpha Photometer
(LAP)
-Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM)
-Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyzer
(MENCA)
-Mars Color Camera
(MCC)
-Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS) |
-Technology Mission
-Determine the requirements on propulsion and other bus systems of spacecraft's.
-Observation of physical features of Mars. |
Yes |
11/2011 |
Mars Science Laboratory |
- |
Rover |
10 Science Instruments:
- Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS)
- Chemistry & Camera (ChemCam)
- Chemistry & Mineralogy X-Ray Diffraction/X-Ray Fluorescence Instrument (CheMin)
- Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN)
- Mast Camera (Mastcam)
- Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI)
- Mars Descent Imager (MARDI)
- Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD)
- Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS)
- Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Suite (SAM)
|
- assess the biological potential, characterize the geology, investigate planetary processes that influence habitability, and characterize the broad spectrum of surface radiation at the landing site
- demonstrate the ability to land a very large, heavy rover to the surface of Mars
- demonstrate the ability to land more precisely in a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) landing
- demonstrate long-range mobility on the surface of the red planet (5-20 kilometers or about 3 to 12 miles) for the collection of more diverse samples and studies.
- the APXS is a Canadian instrument |
- |
- |
Netlander |
Cancelled |
Four Landers |
- |
-French Space Agency-led
the NetLander consists of four landers. Each lander includes a network science payload with instrumentation for studying the interior of Mars, the atmosphere and the subsurface, as well as the ionospheric structure and geodesy |
- |
08/2007 |
Phoenix |
Success (lost contact in 2010) |
Lander |
Canadians will provide meteorological instrumentation, including an innovative laser-based sensor |
-to study the geologic history of water and consequently past climate change
- to search for evidence of a habitable zone that may exist in the ice-soil boundary |
Yes |
08/2005 |
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter |
Success |
Orbiter |
-high resolution imaging science experiment (HiRISE)
-context camera (CTX)
-Mars color imager (MARCI)
-compact reconnaissance imaging spectrometer for Mars (CRISM)
-Mars climate sounder (MCS)
-shallow radar (SHARAD)
|
-to look for evidence of past or present water
-to identify landing sites for future missions and to be used as a telecommunications link for future missions. |
Yes |
06/2003
07/2003 |
Mars Explorations Rovers |
Success |
Spirit Lander & Opportunity Lander
|
- panoramic camera (Pancam)
-rock abrasion tool (RAT)
-miniature thermal infrared spectrometer (MiniTES)
-microscopic camera
-Mossbauer spectrometer
-alpha-proton-X-ray spectrometer (APXS) |
to learn about ancient water and climate on Mars |
Yes |
06/2003 |
Mars Express |
Success (Lander lost) |
Orbiter & Lander (Beagle2) |
Orbiter:
-high resolution stereoscopic camera (HRSC)
-visible and near-infrared spectrometer (OMEGA)
-infrared spectrometer (PFS)
-ultraviolet spectrometer (SPICAM)
-neutral and charged particle sensors (ASPERA)
-subsurface radar and altimeter (MARSIS)
Lander:
-robot sampling arm
-instruments for gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy
-microscope
-panoramic and wide-angle cameras
-Mossbauer and X-ray spectrometers and environmental sensors |
-to characterize the landing site geology, mineralogy, and geochemistry, the physical properties of the atmosphere and surface layers
-to collect data on Martian meteorology and climatology
-to search for possible signatures of life |
Yes |
04/2001 |
Mars Odyssey |
Success |
Orbiter |
-radio science
-navigation TV camera
-radiation and dosimetry control complex
-Mars radiation environment experiment (MARIE)
-thermal emission imaging system (THEMIS)
-Gamma-ray spectrometer
|
-to gather data to help determine whether the environment on Mars was ever conducive to life
-to characterize the climate and geology of Mars
-to study potential radiation hazards to possible future astronaut missions and to act as a communications relay for future missions to Mars over a period of five years |
Yes |
01/1999 |
Mars Polar Lander |
Lost |
Lander
Microprobes (Deep Space 2)
|
Mars Volatiles and Climate Surveyor:
integrated package with:
-surface imager
-robotic arm with camera
-meteorology package
-thermal and evolved gas analyzer
Mars Descent Imager:
-Lidar (including Mars microphone)
Deep Space 2:
-microcontroller
- power microelectronics
-microdrill -impact accelerometer
-atmospheric descent accelerometer |
-to set a spacecraft down on the frigid terrain near the edge of Mars' south polar cap and dig for water ice with a robotic arm
-Piggybacking on the lander were two small probes called Deep Space 2 designed to impact the Martian surface to test new technologies |
- |
12/1998 |
Mars Climate Orbiter |
Lost |
Orbiter |
-Mars color imager (MARCI)
-pressure modulated infrared radiometer (PMIRR)
-UHF antenna |
-to monitor the daily weather and atmospheric conditions
-to record changes on the Martian surface due to wind and other atmospheric effects
-to determine temperature profiles of the atmosphere
-to monitor the water vapor and dust content of the atmosphere and to look for evidence of past climate change |
- |
07/1998 |
|
Electrical failures resulted in mission change, a mars flyby was achieved on December 14, 2003 |
Orbiter |
-imaging camera
-neutral mass spectrometer
-dust counter
-thermal plasma analyzer
-magnetometer
-electron and ion spectrum analyzers
-ion mass spectrograph
-high energy particles experiment
-VUV imaging spectrometer
-sounder and plasma wave detector
-LF wave analyzer
-electron temperature prob and a UV scanner. |
to study the structures and dynamics of the atmosphere and ionosphere of Mars |
|
12/1996 |
Mars Pathfinder |
Success |
Lander & Rover |
-imager for Mars Pathfinder (IMP)
-atmospheric structure instrument/meteorology package (ASI/MET)
-Alpha X-ray spectrometer (APXS)
- rover imaging camera
|
-to demonstrate the feasibility of low-cost landings on and exploration of the Martian surface
-the scientific objectives include atmospheric entry science, long-range and close-up surface imaging, with the general objective being to characterize the Martian environment for further exploration |
Yes |
11/1996 |
Mars96 |
Failed |
Orbiter
Two autonomous stations
Two surface penetrators
|
-radio science
-navigation TV camera
-radiation and dosimetry control complex
-7 instruments to study plasma, fields and particles
-3 instruments for astrophysical studies |
to investigate the evolution and contemporary physics of the planet by studying the physical and chemical processes which took place in the past and which currently takes place |
- |
11/1996 |
Mars Global Surveyor |
09/1997 |
Orbiter |
-Mars orbital camera (MOC)
-Thermal emissions spectrometer (TES)
-Mars Orbital laser altimeter (MOLA)
-radio science investigations (RS)
-magnetometer/ electron reflectometer (MAG/ER)
-Mars relay -accelerometer
|
-to image the surface
-study the topography and gravity
-the role of water and dust on the surface and in the atmosphere of Mars
-the weather and climate of Mars
-the composition of the surface and atmosphere
-the existence and evolution of the Martian magnetic field |
Yes |
09/1992 |
Mars Observer |
Lost contact |
Orbiter |
-magnetometer/ electron reflectometer (MAG/ER)
-gamma-ray spectometer (GRS)
-pressure modulator infrared radiometer (PMIRR)
-Mars observer laser altimeter (MOLA)
-thermal emission spectrometer (TES)
-mars observer camera (MOC)
-radio science (RS) |
-to determine the global elemental and mineralogical character of the surface material
-to define globally the topography and gravitational field
-to establish the nature of the Martian magnetic field
-to determine the temporal and spatial distributions, abundance, sources, and sinks of volatile and dust over a seasonal cycle and to explore the structure and circulation of the atmosphere |
Yes |
|
|
Lost Contact on September 2, 1988
Success
|
Orbiter |
-flux gate magnetometer Mars (FGMM)
-proton and alpha particle spectrometer (TAUS)
-plasma wave system (PWS)
-ion and electron spectrometer (HARP)
-energy, mass and charge spectrometer (SOVIKOMS)
-energy charged-particle spectrometer (SLED)
-solar photometer (IPHIR)
-X-ray photometer (RF-15)
-ultrasound spectrometer (SUFR)
-gamma-ray burst spectrometer (LILAS)
-videospectrometric system (VSK) -infrared spectrometer (ISM)
-gamma ray emission spectrometer (APEX)
-radar system (RLK)
-laser mass spectrometer analyzer (LIMA-D)
-secondary ion mass analyzer (DION)
-optical radiation spectrometer (AUGUST)
-neutron detector (IPNM)
-solar telescope/coronograph (TEREK)
Phobos2, as for Phobos1 plus
-infrared radiometer/ spectrometer (KRFM)
-scanning infrared radiometer (Thermoscan)
-energetic paticles, MSU-TASPD
|
-to conduct studies of the interplanetary environment
-to perform observations of the Sun
-to characterize the plasma environment in the Martian vicinity
-to conduct surface and atmospheric studies of Mars
-to study the surface composition of the Martian satellite Phobos. |
Yes |
09/1976 |
Viking 2 |
Success |
Orbiter & Lander |
Orbiter:
-infrared thermal mapper (IRTM)
-Mars atmospheric water detector (MAWD)
Lander:
-gas chromatograph/ mass spectrometer
-neutral mass spectrometer
-X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRFS)
-retarding potential analyze
|
-to obtain high resolution images of the Martian surface
-to characterize the structure and composition of the atmosphere and surface
-to search for evidence of life |
Yes |
08/1975 |
Viking1 |
Success |
Orbiter & Lander |
Orbiter:
-infrared thermal mapper (IRTM)
-Mars atmospheric water detector (MAWD)
Lander:
-gas chromatograph/ mass spectrometer
-Neutral mass spectrometer
-X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRFS)
-retarding potential analyze
|
-to obtain high resolution images of the Martian surface
-to characterize the structure and composition of the atmosphere and surface
-to search for evidence of life |
Yes |
08/1973 |
Mars7 |
Success |
Flyby & Lander |
-telephotometer
-Lyman alpha sensor -magnetometer
-ion trap and narrow angle electrostatic plasma sensor
-solar cosmic ray sensors
-micrometeorite sensors and solar radiometer
Lander:
-panoramic telephotometer
-accelerometer
|
to enter the Martian atmosphere and make in-situ studies ofthe atmosphere and surface (a malfunction on board caused the lander to miss the planet) |
Yes |
08/1973 |
Mars6 |
Success |
Flyby & Lander |
-telephotometer -Lyman alpha sensor -magnetometer
-ion trap and a narrow angle electrostatic plasma sensor
-solar cosmic ray sensors
-micrometeorite sensors
-solar radiometer
Lander:
-panoramic telephotometer
-accelerometer
-mass spectrometer
-radio altimeter |
to enter the Martian atmosphere and make in-situ studies of the Mars atmosphere and surface |
Yes |
07/1973 |
Mars5 |
Success |
Orbiter |
-television imaging system consisting of two cameras
-Lyman-Alpha photometer -magnetometer
-plasma ion traps and a narrow angle electrostatic plasma sensor
-infrared radiometer -radio telescope polarimeter
-two polarimeters (0.32-0.70 microns, Spectrometer (0.3 0.8 microns)
-four photometers
|
-to orbit Mars and return information on the composition, structure, and properties of the Martian atmosphere and surface
-to act as a communications link to the Mars 6 and 7 landers. |
Yes |
07/1973 |
Mars4 |
Success (ended up as flyby) |
Orbiter (but ended up as flyby) |
-television imaging system consisting of two cameras
-Lyman-Alpha photometer -magnetometer
-plasma ion traps and a narrow angle electrostatic plasma sensor
-infrared radiometer -radio telescope polarimeter
-two polarimeters (0.32-0.70 microns, Spectrometer (0.3 0.8 microns)
-four photometers
|
to return data from mars (pictures, radio occulation, interplanetary) |
Yes |
05/1971 |
Mariner9 |
Success |
Orbiter |
-infrared radiometer (IRR)
-ultraviolet spectrometer
-infrared interferometer spectrometer (IRIS) |
to map 70 % of the Martian surface, and to study the temporal changes in the Martian atmosphere and on the Martian surface |
Yes |
05/1971 |
Mars3 |
Success |
|
-infrared radiometer (Orbiter)
-photometer
-infrared photometer
-ultraviolet photometer
-Lyman-alpha sensor
-visible range photometer -radiotelescope and radiometer instrument
-infrared spectrometer
-phototelevision unit
-eight separate narrow angle electrostatic plasma sensors
-three axis magnetometer
-Spectrum 1 (to measure solar radiation)
|
-to image the Martian surface and clouds
-to determine the temperature on Mars
-to study the topography, composition and physical properties of the surface
-to measure properties of the atmosphere
-to monitor the solar wind and the interplanetary and Martian magnetic fields
-to act as a communications relay to send signals from the lander to Earth |
Yes |
05/1971 |
Mars2 |
Success |
Orbiter & Lander |
-infrared radiometer (Orbiter)
-photometer
-infrared photometer
-ultraviolet photometer
-Lyman-alpha sensor
-visible range photometer -radiotelescope and radiometer instrument
-infrared spectrometer
-phototelevision unit
-eight separate narrow angle electrostatic plasma sensors
-three axis magnetometer
|
-to image the Martian surface and clouds
-to determine the temperature on Mars
-to study the topography, composition and physical properties of the surface
-to measure properties of the atmosphere
-to monitor the solar wind and the interplanetary and Martian magnetic fields
-to act as a communications relay to send signals from the lander to Earth |
Yes |
05/1971 |
Cosmos419 |
Failure |
Orbiter & Lander |
-an instrument to measure solar radiation which was supplied by the French |
to overtake Mariner 8, which had been launched (unsuccessfully, as it turned out) and to become the first Mars orbiter |
- |
05/1971 |
Mariner8 |
Launch failure |
Flyby |
-wide- and narrow-angle TV cameras
-infrared radiometer
-ultraviolet spectrometer
-infrared interferometer spectrometer |
to go into Mars orbit and return images and data |
- |
03/1969 |
Mars1969 |
Launch failure |
Orbiter |
-three television cameras
-radiometer
-water vapor detector
-ultraviolet and infrared spectrometers
-radiation detector
-gamma and hydrogen/helium mass spectrometer
-solar plasma and low-energy ion spectrometers
|
? |
- |
03/1966 |
Mariner7 |
Success |
Flyby |
-Mars TV Camera
-IR spectrometer
-two-channel infrared radiometer
-UV spectrometer
-thermal control flux monitor
|
to study the surface and atmosphere of Mars during close flybys to establish the basis for future investigations, particularly those relevant to the search for extraterrestrial life; to demonstrate and develop technologies required for future Mars missions and other long-duration missions far from the Sun |
Yes |
02/1966 |
Mariner6 |
Success |
Flyby |
-Mars TV Camera
-IR spectrometer
-two-channel infrared radiometer
-UV spectrometer
-thermal control flux monitor
|
to study the surface and atmosphere of Mars during close flybys to establish the basis for future investigations, particularly those relevant to the search for extraterrestrial life; to demonstrate and develop technologies required for future Mars missions and other long-duration missions far from the Sun |
Yes |
07/1965 |
Zond3 |
Failure |
Flyby |
-f106 mm camera
-TV system
-magnetometer probe
-television photographic equipment
-spectroreflectometer
-radiation sensors
-spectrograph
-micrometeoroid instrument
|
to test space-borne systems and to carry out scientific
investigations |
- |
07/1965 |
Zond2 |
Lost contact |
Flyby |
-magnetometer probe
-television photographic equipment
-spectroreflectometer
-radiation sensors
-spectrograph
-micrometeoroid instrument
|
to test space-borne systems and to carry out scientific
investigations |
- |
11/1964 |
Mariner4 |
Success |
Flyby |
-Mars TV camera
-helium magnetometer
-plasma probe
-cosmic ray telescope
|
-to conduct closeup scientific observations of Mars
-to transmit these observations to earth
-to perform field and particle measurements in interplanetary space in the vicinity of Mars and to provide experience in and knowledge of the engineering capabilities for interplanetary flights of long duration |
Yes |
11/1964 |
Mariner3 |
Failure |
Flyby |
-solar probe
-trapped-radiation detector
-ionization chamber and Geiger-Mueller tube
-cosmic-ray telescope
-helium magnetometer
-cosmic dust detector
|
to make scientific measurements in the vicinity of Mars and to obtain photographs of the planet's surface and transmit these to Earth |
- |
11/1962 |
Sputnik24 |
Failure |
Lander |
? |
land on Mars |
- |
11/1962 |
Mars1 |
Lost contact |
Flyby |
-magnetometer probe
-television photographic equipment
-spectroreflectometer
-radiation sensors
-spectrograph
-micrometeoroid instrument
|
to image the surface and send back data on cosmic radiation, micrometeoroid impacts and Mars' magnetic field, radiation environment, atmospheric structure, and possible organic compounds |
- |
10/1962 |
Sputnik22 |
Failure |
Flyby |
? |
to flyby Mars |
- |
10/1960 |
Marsnik1 & Marsnik2 |
Launch
failure |
Flyby |
-magnetometer on a boom
-cosmic ray counter
-plasma-ion trap
-radiometer
-micrometeorite detector
-spectroreflectometer
|
-to investigate interplanetary space between Earth and Mars
-to study Mars and return surface images from a flyby trajectory
-to study the effects of extended spaceflight on onboard instruments and provide radio communications from long distances |
- |
