Unit 3.2 & 3.3 - Robotic Space Exploration

Mariner 4

First successful mission to Mars

Viking Program

Consisted of a pair of American space probes and landers sent to Mars, with the goal of searching for signs of life.

Sojourner Rover

First rover to operate on Mars

Mars Exploration Rovers

Two rovers sent to investigate evidence of ancient water on Mars

Spirit Rover

Determined the composition of minerals, rocks, and soils at Gusev Crater

Opportunity Rover

Found evidence of water in Mars' past in the form of iron minerals called hematite.

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover

Searched for evidence of habitable conditions, suitable for life in the past at Gale Crater and used sky crane landing system.

Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover

Looking for signs of life at Jezero Crater and also used sky crane landing system

Ingenuity helicopter

First drone to fly on another planet

Zhurong rover

First Chinese rover to land on Mars

conglomerate rock

a sedimentary rock made from smalled rounded stones that have been cemented together