Aurora
Tuning into the cosmos…
LoadingAtlas V 541
Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity)
Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) launched on Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 03:02 PM UTC — a United Launch Alliance mission.
Launch SuccessfulUnited Launch Alliance
Lifted offNET Nov 2011
NET Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 03:02 PM UTC
Live coverage
Watch the webcast
Mission profile
The flight at a glance
Atlas V 541Vehicle
United Launch AllianceProvider
Space Launch Complex 41Pad
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USALocation
NASA Large Strategic Science MissionsProgram
Robotic ExplorationMission type
Mars OrbitOrbit
Flight simulation
Ascent to orbit
A representative gravity-turn climb for Atlas V 541 to Mars Orbit. Illustrative model — not this mission’s live telemetry.
Mission timeT+0:00
Altitude0.0 km
Velocity0.00 km/s
PhaseLiftoff
T+0:00 / 17:50
SimulatedRepresentative Atlas V 541 ascent profile — illustrative model, not this mission’s live telemetry.
The mission
MSL (Curiosity)
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.
Around this launch
Related news
No news linked to this launch yet
As coverage publishes, deduplicated articles about this mission will appear here.
Good to know
Frequently asked
What time does Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) launch?
Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) is scheduled to lift off Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 03:02 PM UTC.
Where can I watch Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity)?
Watch the official live webcast embedded on this page — it goes live shortly before liftoff.
Who is launching Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity)?
Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) is an United Launch Alliance mission flying on a Atlas V 541.
Where does Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) launch from?
It lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.