On December 4, 1996, Mars Pathfinder was launched, and on July 4, 1997, it touched down in Ares Vallis on Mars. It was created as a technology demonstration for a fresh approach to bringing the first robotic rover and an instrumented lander to the surface of Mars. Pathfinder not only succeeded in achieving this objective, but it also returned a record-breaking volume of data and outlasted its initial planned lifespan.
Both the 23-pound (10.6 kilogramme) rover and the lander were outfitted with equipment for making scientific observations and gathering engineering data on the novel technologies being tested. Instruments for studying the Martian atmosphere, climate, geology, and rock and soil composition were also present. With the aid of a parachute, Mars Pathfinder employed an inventive technique to enter the Martian atmosphere.
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