⏰ when

When did the first Mars rover begin exploring the surface?

Quick Answer

The first successful Mars rover, Sojourner, began surface operations on 5 July 1997 after landing with the Pathfinder mission.

The Full Story

Sojourner, part of NASA’s Mars Pathfinder mission, became the first rover to explore the surface of Mars in 1997. After landing on 4 July 1997, it began operations the next day and traveled around the landing site collecting data. Sojourner proved that a small robotic vehicle could drive on Mars and communicate with Earth. It paved the way for later rovers such as Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance.

Key Facts

1.Operations began: 5 July 1997
2.Mission: Mars Pathfinder
3.Rover name: Sojourner

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"The first Mars rover rolled onto the scene in 1997 and started a robotic revolution."

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