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Six missions have operated on the Martian surface since 1997 — three simultaneously in 2022.
| Attribute | Curiosity (MSL) Mars Science Laboratory Active · Last updated 2026-06-01Trust: Agency-primaryⓘ Last verified Remove × | Perseverance (Mars 2020) Mars 2020 Active · Last updated 2026-06-01Trust: Agency-primaryⓘ Last verified Remove × | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agency | NASA/JPL | NASA/JPL | NASA/JPL |
| Status | Active | Active | Mission Complete |
| Vehicle type | rover | rover | helicopter |
| Launch date | 2011-11-26 | 2020-07-30 | 2020-07-30 |
| Landing date | 2012-08-06 | 2021-02-18 | 2021-02-18 |
| Landing site | Bradbury Landing, Gale Crater | Octavia E. Butler Landing, Jezero Crater | Wright Brothers Field, Jezero Crater (deployed from Perseverance) |
| Launch mass | 899 kgas of [1] | 1,025 kgas of [1] | 1.8 kgas of [1] |
| Power system | Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) | Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) | Solar panels + 6 lithium-ion batteries |
| Instruments | 10 science instrumentsas of [1]Mastcam, ChemCam, MAHLI, APXS, CheMin, SAM, DAN, REMS, RAD, MARDI | 7 primary science instruments + 19 cameras + 2 microphonesas of [1]Mastcam-Z, SuperCam, PIXL, SHERLOC, RIMFAX, MEDA, MOXIE; MOXIE completed Oct 2023 | 2 cameras (color + navigation)as of [1]Navigation camera + color camera; no science instruments beyond imaging |
| Distance traveled | ~33 kmas of [1]Actively driving; figure grows with each drive ↑ Farthest | ~22 kmas of [1]Actively driving; cached 24 sample tubes for future Mars Sample Return | ~11.6 kmas of [1]Total distance across 72 flights; final flight January 18, 2024 |
| Mission outcome | Confirmed ancient habitable environment at Gale Crater — lake sediments billions of years old with all ingredients for life. Discovered complex organic molecules and seasonal methane fluctuations. Still driving as of 2026, ascending the foothills of Mount Sharp. | First spacecraft to demonstrate oxygen production on Mars (MOXIE). Collected and cached 24 sample tubes for eventual Mars Sample Return. Documented diverse rock types in Jezero's ancient river delta. Deployed and supported Ingenuity through 72 flights. | First powered controlled flight on another planet — technology demonstration that exceeded all expectations. Originally planned for 5 test flights, completed 72 before a rotor blade broke in January 2024. Achieved altitudes up to 24 m and flight durations up to 169.5 seconds. |
All 6 surface vehicles with primary-source citations from NASA JPL, NASA NSSDCA, and CNSA. Pure URL state — bookmark or share the link and the comparison reproduces exactly.