Astronomy timeline (mars missions)

Mariner 3 attempted a flyby of Mars

Nov 5, 1964

An original space shuttle that attempted a flyby of Mars. This failed.

Mars launches the unmanned U.S Mariner 4

Nov 28, 1964

Mariner 4 was an exact copy of the Mriner 3. This vehicle made a successful flyby of Mars.

Mariner 6 launches

Feb 25, 1969

Identicle to the Mariner 7, this was used for a successful flyby of mars.

Mariner 7 launches

Mar 27, 1969

Identicle to the Mariner 6, this was used to do a flyby of Mars.

Viking 1 launches

Aug 20, 1975

This is the first spacecraft to successfully land on Mars and perform it's designed task.

Mars Observer was launched and lost

Sep 25, 1992

This was used to study the Martian landscape and see what they could find.

NASA launches the Pathfinder

Dec 4, 1996

The Pathfinder was ment to be a cheap way to explore Mars. This was one of the most useful rovers to ever be sent to Mars. It sent back lots of information!

Mars Polar lander launches

Jan 3, 1999

This lander was designed to study soils and other things on Mars. Just before landing, they lost contact with the Polar Lander and the precious lander was lost.

2001 Mars Odyssey launches

Mar 7, 2001

This is a robotic spacecraft that is made to orbit around Mars. That means it's an orbiter.

Mars Exploration Rovers

Jan 12, 2004

The Mars exploration rovers were used for many things. An example of that would be analysing the environment. Another objective was to look for minerals and other things.