Overview
Science
Technology
Launch Vehicle
Spacecraft
Rover
Instruments
Mission Timeline
Communications With Earth
Mission Team
What's New
Newsroom
Images
Recent Videos
Interactives
Mars Exploration Program
All about Mars
Mars for Kids
Mars for Students
Mars for Educators
Mars for Press
Mission
>
Mission Timeline
Mission Timeline
MISSION TIMELINE
Pre-Launch Activities
|
Launch
|
Cruise
|
Approach
|
Entry, Descent, and Landing
|
First Drive
|
Surface Operations
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
Approach
: Nearing the red planet Mars
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