Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Today in History: NASA launches Curiosity rover on Mars mission

11/26/2025

38 4

Summary

Story summary

On November 26, 2011, NASA launched the Mars Science Laboratory mission from Cape Canaveral, successfully sending the Curiosity rover to Mars. The mission aims to explore Mars's habitability, climate, and geology, gathering crucial data for future human exploration. Curiosity continues to operate over a decade after its initial two-year mission.

1 of 1

Story summary

On November 26, 2011, NASA launched the Mars Science Laboratory mission from Cape Canaveral, successfully sending the Curiosity rover to Mars. The mission aims to explore Mars's habitability, climate, and geology, gathering crucial data for future human exploration. Curiosity continues to operate over a decade after its initial two-year mission.