October 8, 2025
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Breaking News
  • [ October 7, 2025 ] SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites with a Falcon 9 booster flying for a 29th time Falcon 9
  • [ October 6, 2025 ] SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket on 90th Starlink mission of 2025 Falcon 9
  • [ October 4, 2025 ] SpaceX to launch 4 Falcon Heavy rockets as part of newest U.S. national security missions award News
  • [ October 2, 2025 ] SpaceX launches 3rd consecutive Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB, uninterrupted by a Cape mission Falcon 9
  • [ October 1, 2025 ] ViaSat-3 F2 satellite arrives in Florida ahead of late October launch Atlas 5

Mars Pathfinder

News

NASA marks 20 years of continuous Mars exploration

July 4, 2017 Stephen Clark

NASA’s Mars Pathfinder probe dropped to the surface of Mars for an airbag-cushioned landing 20 years ago Tuesday, bouncing 15 times across an ancient flood plain before deploying a mobile robot to usher in two decades of uninterrupted Martian exploration.

Delta 2

Video: Tower rollback prior to launch of Mars Pathfinder atop a Delta 2

December 4, 1996 Spaceflight Now

The Mobile Service Tower at LC-17B is rolled away from the Delta 2 rocket that launched NASA’s Mars Pathfinder mission on its way to the red planet on December 4, 1996. This video includes footage shot inside the blockhouse at the launch pad.

Delta 2

Video: Mars Pathfinder pre-launch preparations

December 4, 1996 Spaceflight Now

Mars Pathfinder Mission Director Tony Spear narrates a video describing the launch preparations for the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft and the Sojourner rover.

News Headlines

  • SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites with a Falcon 9 booster flying for a 29th time
    October 7, 2025
  • SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket on 90th Starlink mission of 2025
    October 6, 2025
  • SpaceX to launch 4 Falcon Heavy rockets as part of newest U.S. national security missions award
    October 4, 2025
  • SpaceX launches 3rd consecutive Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB, uninterrupted by a Cape mission
    October 2, 2025
  • ViaSat-3 F2 satellite arrives in Florida ahead of late October launch
    October 1, 2025
  • Report argues NASA is illegally using President’s Budget Request to circumvent Congress’ budgeting process
    October 1, 2025
  • Axiom Space taps Portuguese physiologist as first ‘Project Astronaut’
    September 30, 2025
  • Ground testing anomaly destroys Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha booster intended for next flight
    September 30, 2025
  • SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
    September 28, 2025
  • Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser debut mission delayed again, no longer docking to station
    September 26, 2025
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