A Half Century of Martian Invasions For decades, spacecraft have been flying by, orbiting, and roving across the red planet. Many missions failed, but the successes have been spectacular. Now, with NASA testing a deep-space capsule to help shuttle astronauts to Mars, we look back at the missions that pioneered exploration to the nearby planet. Anna Scalamogna, NG Staff. Source: NASA

U.S.

U.S. U.S.S.R./Russia

U.S.S.R./Russia Japan

Japan European Space Agency

European Space Agency India

India China and Russia

Earth Mars Failure Flyby Orbiter Orbiter Landed 1960 1960 1962 1962 1962 1964 1964 1964 1969 1969 1969 1969 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1973 1973 1973 1973 1975 1975 1988 1988 1992 1996 1996 1996 1998 1998 1999 1999 2001 2003 2003 2003 2005 2007 2011 2011 2013 2013 1960 1960 1962 1962 1962 1964 1964 1964 1969 1969 1969 1969 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1973 1973 1973 1973 1975 1975 1988 1988 1992 1996 1996 1996 1998 1998 1999 1999 2001 2003 2003 2003 2005 2007 2011 2011 2013 2013 Korabl 4 Korabl 5 Korabl 11 Mars 1 Korabl 13 Mariner 3 Mariner 4 Zond 2 Mars 1969A Mars 1969B Mariner 6 Mariner 7 Mariner 8 Kosmos 419 Mars 2 Mars 3 Mariner 9 Mars 4 Mars 5 Mars 6 Mars 7 Viking 1 Viking 2 Phobos 1 Phobos 2 Mars Observer Mars Global Surveyor Mars 96 Mars Pathfinder Nozomi Mars Climate Orbiter Mars Polar Lander Deep Space 2 Mars Odyssey Mars Express Orbiter/Beagle 2 Lander Mars Exploration Rover (Spirit) Mars Exploration Rover (Opportunity) Mars Reconnaissance Phoenix Mars Lander Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) Phobos-Grunt/Yinghuo-1 (joint launch) Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) (Mangalyaan) Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Korabl 4 Korabl 5 Korabl 11 Mars 1 Korabl 13 Mariner 3 Mariner 4 Zond 2 Mars 1969A Mars 1969B Mariner 6 Mariner 7 Mariner 8 Kosmos 419 Mars 2 Mars 3 Mariner 9 Mars 4 Mars 5 Mars 6 Mars 7 Viking 1 Viking 2 Phobos 1 Phobos 2 Mars Observer Mars Global Surveyor Mars 96 Mars Pathfinder Nozomi Mars Climate Orbiter Mars Polar Lander Deep Space 2 Mars Odyssey Mars Express Orbiter/Beagle 2 Lander Mars Exploration Rover (Spirit) Mars Exploration Rover (Opportunity) Mars Reconnaissance Phoenix Mars Lander Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) Phobos-Grunt/Yinghuo-1 (joint launch) Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) (Mangalyaan) Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Lander Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Lander/surface rover Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Lander Mission: Lander/probe Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Lander/surface rover Mission: Lander/surface rover Mission: Orbiter Mission: Lander Mission: Lander/surface rover Mission: Lander/orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Flyby Mission: Flyby Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Lander Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Lander/surface rover Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Lander Mission: Lander/probe Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter/lander Mission: Lander/surface rover Mission: Lander/surface rover Mission: Orbiter Mission: Lander Mission: Lander/surface rover Mission: Lander/orbiter Mission: Orbiter Mission: Orbiter Result: Never orbited Earth Result: Never orbited Earth Result: Orbited Earth but broke apart Result: Radio failed Result: Orbited Earth but broke apart Result: Shroud didn't open properly Result: Returned 21 images Result: Radio failed Result: Launch vehicle failed Result: Launch vehicle failed Result: Returned 75 images Result: Returned 126 images Result: Launch failed Result: Reached Earth orbit only Result: Descent system failed; lander crashed on Mars Result: Landed safely on Mars but transmitted only 20 seconds of data Result: Returned 7,329 images Result: Flew by Mars but didn't orbit Result: Orbited Mars but transmitted only about 60 images Result: Stopped transmitting just before landing; data unreadable Result: Probe separated early and missed Mars Result: Landed intact on Mars, the first U.S. mission to do so Result: Landed on Mars; returned 16,000 images Result: Lost after software error made it unable to recharge its batteries Result: Reached Mars orbit; lost after computer malfunction Result: Lost contact 3 days before it was to go into Mars orbit Result: Orbited Mars for a decade, sending back enormous amounts of data Result: Launch vehicle failed Result: Landed on Mars; sent back enormous amounts of data before transmissions ended Result: Never entered Mars orbit Result: Disintegrated before entering Mars orbit due to mathematical error Result: Lander crashed on Mars Result: Crashed with Mars Polar Lander Result: Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Result: Lander lost; orbiter still sending images Result: Landed on Mars; got stuck in sand, ended transmissions in 2010 Result: Landed on Mars; still sending back data Result: Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Result: Landed on Mars; completed primary mission before transmissions ended Result: Landed on Mars; still exploring Result: Reached Earth orbit before disintegrating Result: Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Result: Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Result: Never orbited Earth Result: Never orbited Earth Result: Orbited Earth but broke apart Result: Radio failed Result: Orbited Earth but broke apart Result: Shroud didn't open properly Result: Returned 21 images Result: Radio failed Result: Launch vehicle failed Result: Launch vehicle failed Result: Returned 75 images Result: Returned 126 images Result: Launch failed Result: Reached Earth orbit only Result: Descent system failed; lander crashed on Mars Result: Landed safely on Mars but transmitted only 20 seconds of data Result: Returned 7,329 images Result: Flew by Mars but didn't orbit Result: Orbited Mars but transmitted only about 60 images Result: Stopped transmitting just before landing; data unreadable Result: Probe separated early and missed Mars Result: Landed intact on Mars, the first U.S. mission to do so Result: Landed on Mars; returned 16,000 images Result: Lost after software error made it unable to recharge its batteries Result: Reached Mars orbit; lost after computer malfunction Result: Lost contact 3 days before it was to go into Mars orbit Result: Orbited Mars for a decade, sending back enormous amounts of data Result: Launch vehicle failed Result: Landed on Mars; sent back enormous amounts of data before transmissions ended Result: Never entered Mars orbit Result: Disintegrated before entering Mars orbit due to mathematical error Result: Lander crashed on Mars Result: Crashed with Mars Polar Lander Result: Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Result: Lander lost; orbiter still sending images Result: Landed on Mars; got stuck in sand, ended transmissions in 2010 Result: Landed on Mars; still sending back data Result: Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Result: Landed on Mars; completed primary mission before transmissions ended Result: Landed on Mars; still exploring Result: Reached Earth orbit before disintegrating Result: Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Result: Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data

Earth Mars Failure Flyby Orbiter Orbiter Landed Landed 1960 1960 1962 1962 1962 1964 1964 1964 1969 1969 1969 1969 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1973 1973 1973 1973 1975 1975 1988 1988 1992 1996 1996 1996 1998 1998 1999 1999 2001 2003 2003 2003 2005 2007 2011 2011 2013 2013 1960 1960 1962 1962 1962 1964 1964 1964 1969 1969 1969 1969 1971 1971 1971 1971 1971 1973 1973 1973 1973 1975 1975 1988 1988 1992 1996 1996 1996 1998 1998 1999 1999 2001 2003 2003 2003 2005 2007 2011 2011 2013 2013 Korabl 4 Korabl 5 Korabl 11 Mars 1 Korabl 13 Mariner 3 Mariner 4 Zond 2 Mars 1969A Mars 1969B Mariner 6 Mariner 7 Mariner 8 Kosmos 419 Mars 2 Mars 3 Mariner 9 Mars 4 Mars 5 Mars 6 Mars 7 Viking 1 Viking 2 Phobos 1 Phobos 2 Mars Observer Mars Global Surveyor Mars 96 Mars Pathfinder Nozomi Mars Climate Orbiter Mars Polar Lander Deep Space 2 Mars Odyssey Mars Express Orbiter/Beagle 2 Lander Mars Exploration Rover (Spirit) Mars Exploration Rover (Opportunity) Mars Reconnaissance Phoenix Mars Lander Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) Phobos-Grunt/Yinghuo-1 (joint launch) Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) (Mangalyaan) Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Korabl 4 Korabl 5 Korabl 11 Mars 1 Korabl 13 Mariner 3 Mariner 4 Zond 2 Mars 1969A Mars 1969B Mariner 6 Mariner 7 Mariner 8 Kosmos 419 Mars 2 Mars 3 Mariner 9 Mars 4 Mars 5 Mars 6 Mars 7 Viking 1 Viking 2 Phobos 1 Phobos 2 Mars Observer Mars Global Surveyor Mars 96 Mars Pathfinder Nozomi Mars Climate Orbiter Mars Polar Lander Deep Space 2 Mars Odyssey Mars Express Orbiter/Beagle 2 Lander Mars Exploration Rover (Spirit) Mars Exploration Rover (Opportunity) Mars Reconnaissance Phoenix Mars Lander Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) Phobos-Grunt/Yinghuo-1 (joint launch) Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) (Mangalyaan) Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Never orbited Earth Never orbited Earth Orbited Earth but broke apart Radio failed Orbited Earth but broke apart Shroud didn't open properly Returned 21 images Radio failed Launch vehicle failed Launch vehicle failed Returned 75 images Returned 126 images Launch failed Reached Earth orbit only Descent system failed; lander crashed on Mars Landed safely on Mars but transmitted only 20 seconds of data Returned 7,329 images Flew by Mars but didn't orbit Orbited Mars but transmitted only about 60 images Stopped transmitting just before landing; data unreadable Probe separated early and missed Mars Landed intact on Mars, the first U.S. mission to do so Landed on Mars; returned 16,000 images Lost after software error made it unable to recharge its batteries Reached Mars orbit; lost after computer malfunction Lost contact 3 days before it was to go into Mars orbit Orbited Mars for a decade, sending back enormous amounts of data Launch vehicle failed Landed on Mars; sent back enormous amounts of data before transmissions ended Never entered Mars orbit Disintegrated before entering Mars orbit due to mathematical error Lander crashed on Mars Crashed with Mars Polar Lander Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Lander lost; orbiter still sending images Landed on Mars; got stuck in sand, ended transmissions in 2010 Landed on Mars; still sending back data Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Landed on Mars; completed primary mission before transmissions ended Landed on Mars; still exploring Reached Earth orbit before disintegrating Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Never orbited Earth Never orbited Earth Orbited Earth but broke apart Radio failed Orbited Earth but broke apart Shroud didn't open properly Returned 21 images Radio failed Launch vehicle failed Launch vehicle failed Returned 75 images Returned 126 images Launch failed Reached Earth orbit only Descent system failed; lander crashed on Mars Landed safely on Mars but transmitted only 20 seconds of data Returned 7,329 images Flew by Mars but didn't orbit Orbited Mars but transmitted only about 60 images Stopped transmitting just before landing; data unreadable Probe separated early and missed Mars Landed intact on Mars, the first U.S. mission to do so Landed on Mars; returned 16,000 images Lost after software error made it unable to recharge its batteries Reached Mars orbit; lost after computer malfunction Lost contact 3 days before it was to go into Mars orbit Orbited Mars for a decade, sending back enormous amounts of data Launch vehicle failed Landed on Mars; sent back enormous amounts of data before transmissions ended Never entered Mars orbit Disintegrated before entering Mars orbit due to mathematical error Lander crashed on Mars Crashed with Mars Polar Lander Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Lander lost; orbiter still sending images Landed on Mars; got stuck in sand, ended transmissions in 2010 Landed on Mars; still sending back data Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Landed on Mars; completed primary mission before transmissions ended Landed on Mars; still exploring Reached Earth orbit before disintegrating Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data Entered Mars orbit; still sending back data

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