Atlas V 541 — mission imagery
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Success

MSL (Curiosity)

Atlas V 541United Launch AllianceSpace Launch Complex 41
Saturday, November 26, 2011 · 03:02 PM UTCAdd to Calendar

This mission is complete.

Vehicle

Atlas V 541

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Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with...

Height59.7 m
LEO Payload18,850 kg
Launches211
Successes173

Provider

United Launch Alliance

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USA • Founded 2006

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spa...

Mission Brief

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, featuring the renowned Curiosity rover, was designed to assess the planet's past and present habitability. Equipped with an array of advanced scientific instruments, including a drill and a sample analysis unit, Curiosity explored the Gale Crater, a site believed to contain evidence of ancient Martian environments. It delivered groundbreaking discoveries, including the detection of organic molecules and the confirmation of an ancient, potentially habitable lake bed.

PayloadMSL (Curiosity)
OrbitMars Orbit
CustomerNASA Large Strategic Science Missions
Stages2
PadSpace Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Mission Timeline

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Site lock

Launch Site

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

LAUNCH SITE
28.583°N, 80.583°W

Schedule History

No delays or schedule changes recorded.