After showing they could build rockets strong enough to reach space, it didn’t take long for rocket scientists in America and Russia to begin sending satellites toward Mars. The first launch took place Oct. 10, 1960, from the Soviet Union almost three years to the day since the nation launched the first satellite, Sputnik. This time though, the craft did not reach Earth orbit. In fact, the first six missions NASA and the Soviet Union launched to Mars failed. NASA’s Mariner 4 was the first to carry off its Mars mission successfully when it flew within 6,118 miles of the planet and took pictures including the one on the left. The one on the right is from NASA’s Curiosity rover which began operating on Mars in 2012.
Take a look at the extensive record of Mars missions launched since the dawn of the Space Age here.
