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2011 · United Launch Alliance

MSL (Curiosity)

successAtlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity)

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, featuring the renowned Curiosity rover, was designed to assess the planet's past and present habitability. Equipped with an array of advanced scientific instruments, including a drill and a sample analysis unit, Curiosity explored the Gale Crater, a site believed to contain evidence of ancient Martian environments. It delivered groundbreaking discoveries, including the detection of organic molecules and the confirmation of an ancient, potentially habitable lake bed.

Overview

Date / time
November 26, 2011 at 03:02 PM UTC
Outcome
success
Launch site
Space Launch Complex 41
Mission
MSL (Curiosity)
Mission type
Robotic Exploration
Orbit achieved
Mars Orbit
Launch vehicle
Atlas V 541 →
Launch provider
United Launch Alliance →

Payloads deployed · 1

MSL
Mars