# Mars Science Laboratory

> Mars mission by NASA, with rover named "Curiosity"

**Wikidata**: [Q48496](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48496)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Science_Laboratory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mars-science-laboratory

## Summary
The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is a NASA space probe mission that includes the rover named "Curiosity." Launched on November 26, 2011, the mission successfully achieved a soft landing on Mars on August 6, 2012. It is an unmanned robotic spacecraft designed to explore further into outer space as part of NASA's Flagship Program.

## Key Facts
*   **Mission Name:** Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)
*   **Component:** Includes the rover "Curiosity"
*   **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
*   **Launch Date:** November 26, 2011, at 15:02:00 UTC
*   **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas V 541 (AV-028)
*   **Landing Date:** August 6, 2012
*   **Landing Location:** Bradbury Landing
*   **Launch Mass:** 3,840.5 kilograms
*   **Manufacturers:** Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin
*   **Classification:** Space probe (unmanned robotic spacecraft)
*   **Program:** Part of the Flagship Program

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Mars Science Laboratory?
A: The Mars Science Laboratory is a NASA mission classified as a space probe. It delivered a rover named "Curiosity" to the surface of Mars.

### Q: When did the Mars Science Laboratory launch and land?
A: The mission launched on November 26, 2011, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It successfully completed a soft landing on Mars on August 6, 2012.

### Q: Who manufactured and operates the Mars Science Laboratory?
A: The mission is operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was manufactured by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin.

## Why It Matters
The Mars Science Laboratory represents a significant advancement in NASA's exploration of the solar system, classified under the agency's prestigious Flagship Program. As a space probe designed to explore further into outer space rather than orbit Earth, it serves as a critical platform for planetary science. The mission's successful deployment of the "Curiosity" rover demonstrated the capability to land large, heavy payloads (massing 3,840.5 kg at launch) on the Martian surface.

By utilizing an Atlas V 541 launch vehicle and complex entry, descent, and landing techniques to achieve a soft landing at Bradbury Landing, the mission provided a robust framework for long-term surface operations. The involvement of major aerospace manufacturers—including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin—highlights the collaborative engineering effort required to execute interplanetary travel. The data and infrastructure established by MSL continue to support the scientific community's understanding of Mars.

## Notable For
*   **Planetary Exploration:** It is a space probe designed to explore beyond Earth's orbit, specifically targeting Mars.
*   **Heavy Payload Delivery:** The mission had a launch weight of 3,840.5 kilograms, marking it as a substantial payload for interplanetary travel.
*   **Precision Landing:** The mission achieved a soft landing at a specific location known as Bradbury Landing.
*   **Flagship Classification:** It is a distinguished component of NASA's Flagship Program.
*   **Collaborative Engineering:** The spacecraft was built by a consortium of major aerospace entities, including JPL, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin.

## Body
### Mission Overview
The Mars Science Laboratory (often abbreviated as MSL) is an unmanned robotic spacecraft mission operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary objective of the mission was to deploy the "Curiosity" rover. The mission falls under the classification of a space probe, defined as a robotic spacecraft that does not orbit Earth but explores further into outer space. It is part of NASA's Flagship Program.

### Launch Specifications
The mission was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 in the United States. The launch took place on November 26, 2011, at 15:02:00. The launch vehicle used was an Atlas V 541, specifically designated AV-028, provided by the launch contractor United Launch Alliance. The total launch weight of the spacecraft was 3,840.5 kilograms.

### Landing and Operations
Following its launch, the Mars Science Laboratory successfully achieved a soft landing on Mars on August 6, 2012. The landing site was named Bradbury Landing. The mission is identified by the COSPAR ID 2011-070A and the NSSDCA ID 2011-070A.

### Development and Manufacturing
The Mars Science Laboratory was developed through a collaboration of major aerospace manufacturers. The primary manufacturer listed is the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with additional contributions from Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

### Identifiers and Classifications
*   **Instance of:** Space probe
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2011-070A
*   **NAIF ID:** -76
*   **Official Website:** https://science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity/

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. 2011 Mars Science Laboratory trajectory reconstruction and performance from launch through landing
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2018
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [Source](https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/timeline/edl/)
7. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)