No human has yet set foot on Mars. The first entity to successfully 'go to Mars' in terms of robotic exploration was NASA's Mariner 4 spacecraft, which performed the first successful flyby of the Red Planet in July 1965.
The Dawn of Martian Exploration
When we ask "Who went to Mars first?", it's important to clarify that this refers to robotic missions, as human exploration of Mars remains a goal for the future. The initial pioneering journeys to Mars were undertaken by sophisticated probes designed to gather crucial data about our planetary neighbor.
Mariner 4: The Pioneer Flyby
The historic first successful encounter with Mars was accomplished by NASA's Mariner 4. On July 14–15, 1965, Mariner 4 performed a flyby, passing within approximately 9,846 kilometers (6,118 miles) of the Martian surface. This monumental mission returned 21 images, revealing a cratered, moon-like surface and forever changing our perception of Mars from a potentially Earth-like world to a more desolate one.
For more details on this groundbreaking mission, visit NASA JPL's Mariner 4 page.
Mariner 9: First Martian Orbiter
Building on the successes of early flyby missions, Mariner 9 achieved another significant first for Mars exploration. On November 14, 1971, Mariner 9 became the first space probe to orbit another planet when it successfully entered into orbit around Mars. This allowed for extensive and prolonged observation of the planet, providing an unprecedented amount of data compared to the brief flybys. Mariner 9 mapped the entire Martian surface, revealing features like giant volcanoes, vast canyons, and evidence of past water activity.
Learn more about this pivotal mission at NASA JPL's Mariner 9 page.
Key Milestones in Early Mars Exploration
The early years of Mars exploration were marked by a series of groundbreaking missions that progressively deepened our understanding of the planet. These missions evolved from simple flybys to complex orbiters and eventually to landers and rovers.
| Mission | Agency | Date of Significant Event | Achievement | Type of Mission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariner 4 | NASA | July 14–15, 1965 | First successful Mars flyby | Flyby Probe |
| Mariner 9 | NASA | November 14, 1971 | First spacecraft to orbit Mars | Orbiter |
| Mars 2 Orbiter | Soviet Union | November 27, 1971 | First artificial satellite of Mars (lost contact) | Orbiter |
| Mars 3 Lander | Soviet Union | December 2, 1971 | First successful soft landing on Mars (brief contact) | Lander |
The Evolution of Mars Missions
The amount of data returned by these probes increased substantially as technology improved. Following these initial breakthroughs, missions advanced to include landers that touched down on the surface and rovers that explored the Martian terrain, conducting scientific experiments and sending back detailed images. This progression from flybys to orbiters, and then to surface exploration, has painted an increasingly complex and fascinating picture of Mars.
For a comprehensive overview of Mars missions, explore NASA's Mars Exploration Program.
The Future: Human Exploration of Mars
While robotic missions have paved the way, the dream of sending humans to Mars remains a primary long-term goal for space agencies worldwide. Programs like NASA's Artemis are developing the technologies and strategies necessary to eventually send astronauts to Mars, building on decades of robotic reconnaissance.
Learn more about the journey to send humans to Mars at NASA's Humans in Space section.
