Missions to Mars

Mars exploration began in the 1960s and more than 40 missions have attempted to reach the Red Planet since – with varying degrees of success. Some early attempts failed at the launch pad, while others reached Mars but were not able to enter orbit around it. Landing on Mars remains challenging even today.

This graphic summaries the history of Mars exploration, categorising the missions into flybys, orbiters, landers and rovers, indicated on the graphic from the outermost circle around Mars, to the surface of the planet as well as by the symbols indicated in the key. Missions to Mars moons are also included but only the mission elements pertaining to Mars itself are shown. A bold red line indicates the mission elements that were successful; the dotted fainter line indicates a (partial) failure, or an uncompleted mission.

Over time, missions have evolved from early flyby attempts, to orbiters, landers and rovers. Mars continues to be an attractive destination for exploration, with missions largely focusing on the search for evidence of life on the Red Planet, and a better understanding of how Earth and Mars evolved so differently.

Europe has been participating in Mars missions since the 1970s through scientific collaboration and contribution of instruments to US- and Soviet-led missions; more recently European instruments have flown on NASA orbiters, landers and rovers. ESA-led missions began with Mars Express, which is still operational today.

ESA is preparing for the launch of the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover mission in 2028. The rover will be the first to drill down to 2 m to search for life below ground. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, while already in orbit conducting its own science mission, will provide data relay services.