UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE

Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity)

Name: Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity)
Start: 2011-11-26T15:02:00+00:00
End: 2011-11-26T15:17:00+00:00
Location: Space Launch Complex 41

SUCCESS Atlas V 541 →

—

Nov 26, 2011 at 15:02 UTC

Mars Orbit Robotic Exploration Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA 100% success

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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking

PADSpace Launch Complex 41

SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →

ORBITMars Orbit

TYPERobotic Exploration

PROGRAMNASA Large Strategic Science Missions

MISSION OVERVIEW

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.

LAUNCH DETAILS

VEHICLE

Atlas V 541

AGENCY

United Launch Alliance

MISSION

MSL (Curiosity)

MISSION TYPE

Robotic Exploration

TARGET ORBIT

Mars Orbit

LAUNCH PAD

Space Launch Complex 41

LAUNCH SITE

Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

PROGRAM

NASA Large Strategic Science Missions

COUNTRY

USA

LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION

CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year

LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY

API ID: df8d4fdb-9add-4ce9-9f0e-aae1c61df212

Reported date: Nov 26, 2011 at 15:02 UTC

Last synced: 2 minutes ago

This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.

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VEHICLE — Atlas V 541 →

MANUFACTURER

United Launch Alliance

VARIANT

541

FLIGHTS

SUCCESSES

SUCCESS RATE

100%

Atlas V with 5m Fairing, 4 SRB, 1 Centaur upper stage engine.

LAUNCH VIDEOS

ARTICLES & COVERAGE

🔗 Mars Science Laboratory Lifts Off for Red Planet

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) launch?

The Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) is scheduled for Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 3:02 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.

What rocket is being used for MSL (Curiosity)?

The Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) mission uses the Atlas V 541 rocket, manufactured by United Launch Alliance. The Atlas V 541 has flown 9 times with a 100% success rate.

Where is the Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) launching from?

The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

What orbit is MSL (Curiosity) going to?

The MSL (Curiosity) mission is targeting Mars Orbit.

Who is launching MSL (Curiosity)?

The Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) is operated by United Launch Alliance. It is part of the NASA Large Strategic Science Missions program.

Can I watch the Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity) launch live?

Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.

LAUNCH TIMELINE

Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC

Launch added to tracker

Imported from Launch Library 2 API

Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC

Launch date set: Nov 26, 2011 at 15:02 UTC

NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United Launch Alliance

Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC

Launch completed successfully

Updated via Launch Library 2

LIVE DATA SOURCES

Last data sync: 2 minutes ago

Launch ID: df8d4fdb-9add-4ce9-9f0e-aae1c61df212

Pad weather at 28.58, -80.58

BROWSE BY

United Launch Alliance93 launches Atlas311 launches Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USALaunch Site

Mission Profile

MSL (Curiosity) was a Atlas V 541 mission operated by United Launch Alliance that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on November 26, 2011. The flight carried its payload on a robotic exploration mission to Mars Orbit. It was flown as part of the NASA Large Strategic Science Missions program. The launch was a success.

Atlas V 541 | MSL (Curiosity)

Mission Profile

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