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🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD

Mars Science Lab Rover

Re-entered 27 Nov 2011

Mars Science Lab Rover (NORAD 37936, COSPAR 2011-070A) was a US satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Nov 2011, launched on 26 Nov 2011 on the Mars Science Lab Rover mission. It was operated by JPL as part of the Mars Program programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSSD on the Mars bus, with a mass of 899 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

2011
launched
2011
re-entered
0
years on orbit
899
kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched26 Nov 2011 · on the Mars Science Lab Rover mission
Re-entered27 Nov 2011 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID37936
COSPAR2011-070A
TypeSatellite
OperatorJPL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSSD
BusMars
Mass899 kg
ProgrammeMars Program
CategoryPLAN
OrbitHEO (EEO)
Altitude194 × -87,302 km
Inclination34.9°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Mars Science Lab Rover?

Mars Science Lab Rover re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 27 Nov 2011, ending a mission that began with its launch in 2011. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Mars Science Lab Rover re-enter the atmosphere?

Mars Science Lab Rover re-entered on 27 Nov 2011, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Mars Science Lab Rover?

Mars Science Lab Rover was operated by JPL and built by LMSSD (US).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.