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Mars Pathfinder
Spacecraft
A pioneering 1997 Mars lander that delivered the first rover to successfully operate on Mars, carrying out geology and atmospheric experiments while demonstrating innovative airbag landing technology.
Key Facts
organization | NASA |
orbital regime | Inner System |
learn more | Wikipedia |
launched | 1996-12-04 |
defunct | 1997-09-27 |
launch mass | 890 kg |
power | 35 watts |
Mission Timeline
Launched
December 4, 1996 at 06:58 UTC
Mars
Lander
The Mars Pathfinder landed in Ares Vallis on July 4, 1997, deploying the Sojourner rover which explored the Martian surface for 83 sols, analyzing rocks and returning over 16,500 images.
Defunct
September 27, 1997 at 10:23 UTC
After completing its primary mission of exploring Mars' Ares Vallis region and returning over 16,500 images, Mars Pathfinder sent its final transmission and ceased all communications with Earth on September 27, 1997, at 10:23 UTC.
Related Spacecraft
Sojourner
Launched in 1996
The first-ever Mars rover, Sojourner explored the Martian surface for 83 days in 1997 as part of the Pathfinder mission, traveling 100 meters while analyzing rocks and demonstrating the feasibility of robotic exploration on the Red Planet.
