NASA's long-term robotic Mars exploration program, established in the 1990s following the loss of the Mars Observer spacecraft, coordinating a sustained series of orbiters, landers and rovers to investigate the planet's potential for past or present life, its climate and geology, and to prepare for eventual human exploration. Mars Global Surveyor, launched in November 1996, was the program's first mission, and the program continues to operate current spacecraft including the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers within roughly 780-day Earth-Mars launch windows.
Facts
Mission TypeRobotic Mars exploration program 1 Launch DateDate of Mars Global Surveyor, the first mission flown under the newly designated Mars Exploration Program following the 1993 loss of Mars Observer. OutcomeOngoing; has deployed multiple successful orbiters, landers and rovers since 1996, including the currently active Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
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