Mars

Marsnik 1

Oct 10, 1960

The Soviet Union launches Marsnik 1. It reached an altitude of 120 km before reentry due to weak pumps that were unable to commence ignition. It became the Soviet Union's first attempt to launch a planetary probe.

Mars 1

Nov 1, 1962

Mars 1 became the first spacecraft to fly by Mars launched by the Soviet Union. It was structured to send photos and data back to Earth, but communications had lost before it flew past Mars.

Mariner 3

Nov 5, 1964

This was the first spacecraft designed to fly by Mars launched by the United States. It was solar and battery powered, designed to reach Mars in 8 months. However a protective shield failed to eject after exiting the atmosphere. (not to be confused with Mariner 1, designed to visit Venus)

Mariner 4

Nov 28, 1964

Mariner 4 was the next spacecraft after Mariner 3 launched by the United States to Mars. It was the first successful flyby returning images of the red planet.

Viking 2

Sep 9, 1975

This spacecraft was intended to take high resolution pictures of Mars. It touched down at Utopia Planitia and powered down in 1978 after 708 orbits.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Aug 12, 2005

The reconnaissance orbiter was designed to orbit Mars for a Martian year with six scientific instruments, including a high resolution image. It reached Mars and started orbit in 2006.

MAVEN

Nov 18, 2013

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution was designed to record atmospheric measurements and specifically to determine the loss of compounds and how it has affected Mars' atmosphere and history.