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Six missions have operated on the Martian surface since 1997 — three simultaneously in 2022.
| Attribute | 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 | Mission Complete | Mission Complete |
| Vehicle type | rover | rover | helicopter |
| Launch date | 2020-07-30 | 1996-12-04 | 2020-07-30 |
| Landing date | 2021-02-18 | 1997-07-04 | 2021-02-18 |
| Landing site | Octavia E. Butler Landing, Jezero Crater | Ares Vallis, Chryse Planitia | Wright Brothers Field, Jezero Crater (deployed from Perseverance) |
| Launch mass | 1,025 kgas of [1] | 10.6 kgas of [1] | 1.8 kgas of [1] |
| Power system | Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) | Solar panels + non-rechargeable lithium thionyl chloride batteries | Solar panels + 6 lithium-ion batteries |
| Instruments | 7 primary science instruments + 19 cameras + 2 microphonesas of [1]Mastcam-Z, SuperCam, PIXL, SHERLOC, RIMFAX, MEDA, MOXIE; MOXIE completed Oct 2023 | 3 science instruments (APXS ×2, ASI/MET) + 3 camerasas of [1]Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer (fore/aft), Atmospheric Structure Instrument/Meteorology Package | 2 cameras (color + navigation)as of [1]Navigation camera + color camera; no science instruments beyond imaging |
| Distance traveled | ~22 kmas of [1]Actively driving; cached 24 sample tubes for future Mars Sample Return ↑ Farthest | 0.1 km (100 metres)as of [1]Traveled ~100 m over 83 sols; contact lost when lander base station batteries depleted | ~11.6 kmas of [1]Total distance across 72 flights; final flight January 18, 2024 |
| Mission outcome | 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 Mars rover in history. Deployed by the Mars Pathfinder lander on July 4, 1997, Sojourner operated 83 sols — nearly 12× its 7-sol design lifetime. Its APXS instrument analyzed 16 rocks and soil patches, including 'Barnacle Bill' and 'Yogi', revealing andesite-like compositions suggesting a more geochemically differentiated volcanic history than expected. The mission proved roving exploration on Mars was feasible. | 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.