The surface operations phase covers the rover's time conducting scientific investigations on Mars. After reaching the surface of the red planet, Mars Science Laboratory will have a primary mission time of one martian year. That is, it will continue to operate at least 687 Earth days, surviving at least one martian winter in the process.

Mars Science Laboratory will have higher clearance and greater mobility than any previous rover sent to Mars, traveling a distance of 5 to 20 kilometers (about 3 to 12 miles) from its landing site.

While exploring Mars, the rover will collect, grind, distribute, and analyze approximately 70 samples of soil and rock.

For more information on what will occur during this phase, see also Science and Science Instruments.