Missions Date Accomplishment
| Mariner 4 |
1965 |
Fly-by mission : photos transmitted |
| Mariner 6 and 7 |
1969 |
Fly-by mission : atmosphere examined |
| Mariner 9 |
1971 |
Orbiter : First orbiter around another planet- mapping mission |
| Viking 1 and 2 |
1976 |
Lander : surface photos, soil biochemistry investigated.
Orbiter : global mapping from orbit. |
| Phobos 2 |
1989 |
Orbiter : photos of Phobos |
| Mars Pathfinder |
1997 |
Lander : (the first bouncing landing) plus "Sojourner" roving vehicle which performed rock analysis, |
 Mars Global Surveyor |
1997 |
Orbiter : examine surface features, atmosphere, and magnetic properties. |
| Mars Climate Orbiter (NASA) |
1998 |
Orbiter : study Martian weather and climate. |
| Mars Polar Lander (NASA) |
1999 |
Lander : study soil and meteorology near Mars South Pole. |
| Mars Surveyor 2001 Orbiter (NASA) |
March, 2001 |
Orbiter : study Mars from orbit, test aerocapture techniques, and act as a communications relay for the upcoming lander (see next entry). |
| Mars Surveyor 2001 Lander (NASA) |
April, 2001 |
Lander : To bring the remote-controlled rover "Athena" to the surface, which will continue studying the Martian surface. |
| Mars Surveyor 2003 Orbiter (NASA) |
2003-2004 |
Orbiter : study Mars from orbit, and serve as communications relay for the lander (see next entry) |
| Mars Surveyor 2003 Lander (NASA) |
2003-2004 |
Lander : Brought the remote-controlled rover (Spirit) to the surface, which will continue studying the Martian surface. |
