List of landings on extraterrestrial bodies
Updated: 5/24/2026, 6:58:01 PM Wikipedia source
This is a list of all spacecraft landings on other planets and bodies in the Solar System, including soft landings and both intended and unintended hard impacts. The list includes orbiters that were intentionally crashed, but not orbiters which later crashed in an unplanned manner due to orbital decay. Colour key:
Tables
· Planets › Mercury
MESSENGER
MESSENGER
Mission
MESSENGER
Country/Agency
United States
Date of landing/impact
30 April 2015
Coordinates
Probably around 54 ° N, 149 ° W, near the crater Janáček
Notes
Intentionally crashed at end of mission.
| Mission | Country/Agency | Date of landing/impact | Coordinates | Notes |
| MESSENGER | United States | 30 April 2015 | Probably around 54 ° N, 149 ° W, near the crater Janáček | Intentionally crashed at end of mission. |
· Planets › Venus
Venera 3
Venera 3
Mission
Venera 3
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
1 March 1966
Coordinates
Probably around -20° to 20° N, 60° to 80° E
Notes
First impact on the surface of another planet. Contact lost before atmospheric entry.
Venera 4
Venera 4
Mission
Venera 4
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
23 October 1967
Coordinates
Estimated near 19°N 38°E / 19°N 38°E / 19; 38.
Notes
Crushed by atmospheric pressure before impact.
Venera 5
Venera 5
Mission
Venera 5
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
16 May 1969
Coordinates
3°S 18°E / 3°S 18°E / -3; 18
Notes
Atmospheric probe; crushed by atmospheric pressure before impact.
Venera 6
Venera 6
Mission
Venera 6
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
17 May 1969
Coordinates
5°S 23°E / 5°S 23°E / -5; 23
Notes
Atmospheric probe; crushed by atmospheric pressure before impact.
Venera 7
Venera 7
Mission
Venera 7
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
15 December 1970
Coordinates
5°S 351°E / 5°S 351°E / -5; 351
Notes
First successful soft landing on another planet; transmitted from surface for 23 minutes.
The spacecraft definitively confirmed that humans cannot survive on the surface of Venus, and excluded the possibility of any liquid water on Venus.
Venera 8
Venera 8
Mission
Venera 8
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
22 July 1972
Coordinates
Within 150 km radius of 10°42′S 335°15′E / 10 °S 335 °E / -10 ; 335
Notes
Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 50 minutes.
Venera 9 lander
Venera 9 lander
Mission
Venera 9 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
22 October 1975
Coordinates
Within a 150 km radius of 31°01′N 291°38′E / 31 °N 291 °E / 31 ; 291
Notes
Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 53 minutes. First pictures from surface.
Venera 10 lander
Venera 10 lander
Mission
Venera 10 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
25 October 1975
Coordinates
Within a 150 km radius of 15°25′N 291°31′E / 15 °N 291 °E / 15 ; 291
Notes
Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 65 minutes.
Pioneer Venus Multiprobe
Pioneer Venus Multiprobe
Mission
Pioneer Venus Multiprobe
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
9 December 1978
Coordinates
Day Probe 31°18′S 317°00′E / 31 °S 317 °E / -31 ; 317
Notes
Survived impact and continued to transmit from the surface for 67 minutes.
Night Probe 28 °S 56 °E
Night Probe 28 °S 56 °E
Mission
Night Probe 28 °S 56 °E
Country/Agency
Survived impact and continued to transmit from the surface for 2 seconds.
North Probe 59 °N 4 °E
North Probe 59 °N 4 °E
Mission
North Probe 59 °N 4 °E
Country/Agency
Signal lost upon impact.
Large probe 4 °N 304 °E
Large probe 4 °N 304 °E
Mission
Large probe 4 °N 304 °E
Country/Agency
Signal lost upon impact.
Venera 12 lander
Venera 12 lander
Mission
Venera 12 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
21 December 1978
Coordinates
7°S 294°E / 7°S 294°E / -7; 294
Notes
Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 110 minutes.
Venera 11 lander
Venera 11 lander
Mission
Venera 11 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
25 December 1978
Coordinates
14°S 299°E / 14°S 299°E / -14; 299
Notes
Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 95 minutes.
Venera 13 lander
Venera 13 lander
Mission
Venera 13 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
1 March 1982
Coordinates
7°30′S 303°00′E / 7 °S 303°E / -7 ; 303
Notes
Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 127 minutes. First photographs in color of its surface, and it records atmospheric wind noises, the first sounds heard from another planet.
Venera 14 lander
Venera 14 lander
Mission
Venera 14 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
5 March 1982
Coordinates
13°15′S 310°00′E / 13 °S 310°E / -13 ; 310
Notes
Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 57 minutes.
Vega 1 lander
Vega 1 lander
Mission
Vega 1 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
11 June 1985
Coordinates
7°12′N 177°48′E / 7 °N 177 °E / 7 ; 177
Notes
Soft landing; some instruments failed to return data.
Vega 2 lander
Vega 2 lander
Mission
Vega 2 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
15 June 1985
Coordinates
7°08′S 177°40′E / 7 °S 177 °E / -7 ; 177
Notes
Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 57 minutes.
| Mission | Country/Agency | Date of landing/impact | Coordinates | Notes |
| Venera 3 | USSR | 1 March 1966 | Probably around -20° to 20° N, 60° to 80° E | First impact on the surface of another planet. Contact lost before atmospheric entry. |
| Venera 4 | USSR | 23 October 1967 | Estimated near 19°N 38°E / 19°N 38°E / 19; 38. | Crushed by atmospheric pressure before impact. |
| Venera 5 | USSR | 16 May 1969 | 3°S 18°E / 3°S 18°E / -3; 18 | Atmospheric probe; crushed by atmospheric pressure before impact. |
| Venera 6 | USSR | 17 May 1969 | 5°S 23°E / 5°S 23°E / -5; 23 | Atmospheric probe; crushed by atmospheric pressure before impact. |
| Venera 7 | USSR | 15 December 1970 | 5°S 351°E / 5°S 351°E / -5; 351 | First successful soft landing on another planet; transmitted from surface for 23 minutes. The spacecraft definitively confirmed that humans cannot survive on the surface of Venus, and excluded the possibility of any liquid water on Venus. |
| Venera 8 | USSR | 22 July 1972 | Within 150 km radius of 10°42′S 335°15′E / 10 °S 335 °E / -10 ; 335 | Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 50 minutes. |
| Venera 9 lander | USSR | 22 October 1975 | Within a 150 km radius of 31°01′N 291°38′E / 31 °N 291 °E / 31 ; 291 | Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 53 minutes. First pictures from surface. |
| Venera 10 lander | USSR | 25 October 1975 | Within a 150 km radius of 15°25′N 291°31′E / 15 °N 291 °E / 15 ; 291 | Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 65 minutes. |
| Pioneer Venus Multiprobe | USA | 9 December 1978 | Day Probe 31°18′S 317°00′E / 31 °S 317 °E / -31 ; 317 | Survived impact and continued to transmit from the surface for 67 minutes. |
| Night Probe 28 °S 56 °E | Survived impact and continued to transmit from the surface for 2 seconds. | |||
| North Probe 59 °N 4 °E | Signal lost upon impact. | |||
| Large probe 4 °N 304 °E | Signal lost upon impact. | |||
| Venera 12 lander | USSR | 21 December 1978 | 7°S 294°E / 7°S 294°E / -7; 294 | Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 110 minutes. |
| Venera 11 lander | USSR | 25 December 1978 | 14°S 299°E / 14°S 299°E / -14; 299 | Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 95 minutes. |
| Venera 13 lander | USSR | 1 March 1982 | 7°30′S 303°00′E / 7 °S 303°E / -7 ; 303 | Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 127 minutes. First photographs in color of its surface, and it records atmospheric wind noises, the first sounds heard from another planet. |
| Venera 14 lander | USSR | 5 March 1982 | 13°15′S 310°00′E / 13 °S 310°E / -13 ; 310 | Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 57 minutes. |
| Vega 1 lander | USSR | 11 June 1985 | 7°12′N 177°48′E / 7 °N 177 °E / 7 ; 177 | Soft landing; some instruments failed to return data. |
| Vega 2 lander | USSR | 15 June 1985 | 7°08′S 177°40′E / 7 °S 177 °E / -7 ; 177 | Soft landing; transmitted from surface for 57 minutes. |
· Planets › Mars
Mars 2 lander
Mars 2 lander
Mission
Mars 2 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
27 November 1971
Coordinates
45°S 30°W / 45°S 30°W / -45; -30
Notes
First man-made object on Mars. No contact after crash landing.
Mars 3 lander
Mars 3 lander
Mission
Mars 3 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
2 December 1971
Coordinates
45°S 158°W / 45°S 158°W / -45; -158
Notes
First soft landing on Mars. Transmission began about 90 seconds after landing. Transmitted a partial image for 14 seconds before the signal was lost.
Mars 6 lander
Mars 6 lander
Mission
Mars 6 lander
Country/Agency
USSR
Date of landing/impact
12 March 1974
Coordinates
23°54′S 19°25′W / 23 °S 19 °W / -23 ; -19
Notes
Contact lost at landing.
Viking 1 lander
Viking 1 lander
Mission
Viking 1 lander
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
20 July 1976
Coordinates
22°41′49″N 48°13′19″W / 22 °N 48 °W / 22 ; -48
Notes
Successful soft landing. First to send images in color, as well as to perform in situ biological experiments with the Martian soil.
Viking 2 lander
Viking 2 lander
Mission
Viking 2 lander
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
3 September 1976
Coordinates
48°16′08″N 134°00′36″E / 48 °N 134 °E / 48 ; 134
Notes
Successful soft landing.
Mars Pathfinder and Sojourner rover
Mars Pathfinder and Sojourner rover
Mission
Mars Pathfinder and Sojourner rover
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
4 July 1997
Coordinates
19°08′N 33°13′W / 19 °N 33 °W / 19 ; -33
Notes
First airbag landing on Mars and first Mars rover.
Mars Polar Lander and two penetrators Deep Space 2
Mars Polar Lander and two penetrators Deep Space 2
Mission
Mars Polar Lander and two penetrators Deep Space 2
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
3 December 1999
Coordinates
73°N 210°W / 73°N 210°W / 73; -210
Notes
Contact lost prior to landing.
Beagle 2
Beagle 2
Mission
Beagle 2
Country/Agency
UK/
ESA
Date of landing/impact
25 December 2003
Coordinates
11°31′35″N 90°25′46″E / 11 °N 90 °E / 11 ; 90
Notes
Successful soft landing. No contact due to solar "petals" not deploying fully, blocking antenna.
MER-A Spirit
MER-A Spirit
Mission
MER-A Spirit
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
3 January 2004
Coordinates
14°34′18″S 175°28′43″E / 14 °S 175 °E / -14 ; 175
Notes
Mars rover. Contact lost 22 March 2010.
MER-B Opportunity
MER-B Opportunity
Mission
MER-B Opportunity
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
25 January 2004
Coordinates
1°56′46″S 5°31′36″W / 1 °S 5 °W / -1 ; -5
Notes
Mars rover. Contact lost 10 June 2018.
Phoenix
Phoenix
Mission
Phoenix
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
25 May 2008
Coordinates
68°13′08″N 125°44′57″W / 68 °N 125 °W / 68 ; -125
Notes
Successful soft landing in the north polar region.
Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)
Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)
Mission
Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
6 August 2012
Coordinates
4°35′22″S 137°26′30″E / 4 °S 137 °E / -4 ; 137
Notes
Mars rover. Landed in Gale Crater.
ExoMars Schiaparelli EDM lander
ExoMars Schiaparelli EDM lander
Mission
ExoMars Schiaparelli EDM lander
Country/Agency
ESA
RFSA
Date of landing/impact
19 October 2016
Coordinates
2°04′S 353°47′E / 2 °S 353 °E / -2 ; 353
Notes
Contact lost after entry and parachute deployment, but before planned landing. Hard impact on the surface.
InSight
InSight
Mission
InSight
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
26 November 2018
Coordinates
4°30′N 135°54′E / 4 °N 135 °E / 4 ; 135 (InSight landing site)
Notes
Successful soft landing.
Mars 2020 Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter
Mars 2020 Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter
Mission
Mars 2020 Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
18 February 2021
Coordinates
18°26′41″N 77°27′03″E / 18 °N 77 °E / 18 ; 77
Notes
Mars rover and helicopter. Successful soft landing in Jezero Crater. Helicopter deployed from rover on 3 April 2021.
Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover
Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover
Mission
Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover
Country/Agency
China
Date of landing/impact
14 May 2021
Coordinates
25°06′N 109°54′E / 25 °N 109 °E / 25 ; 109
Notes
Successful soft landing in Utopia Planitia. Zhurong rover deployed on 22 May 2021.
| Mission | Country/Agency | Date of landing/impact | Coordinates | Notes |
| Mars 2 lander | USSR | 27 November 1971 | 45°S 30°W / 45°S 30°W / -45; -30 | First man-made object on Mars. No contact after crash landing. |
| Mars 3 lander | USSR | 2 December 1971 | 45°S 158°W / 45°S 158°W / -45; -158 | First soft landing on Mars. Transmission began about 90 seconds after landing. Transmitted a partial image for 14 seconds before the signal was lost. |
| Mars 6 lander | USSR | 12 March 1974 | 23°54′S 19°25′W / 23 °S 19 °W / -23 ; -19 | Contact lost at landing. |
| Viking 1 lander | USA | 20 July 1976 | 22°41′49″N 48°13′19″W / 22 °N 48 °W / 22 ; -48 | Successful soft landing. First to send images in color, as well as to perform in situ biological experiments with the Martian soil. |
| Viking 2 lander | USA | 3 September 1976 | 48°16′08″N 134°00′36″E / 48 °N 134 °E / 48 ; 134 | Successful soft landing. |
| Mars Pathfinder and Sojourner rover | USA | 4 July 1997 | 19°08′N 33°13′W / 19 °N 33 °W / 19 ; -33 | First airbag landing on Mars and first Mars rover. |
| Mars Polar Lander and two penetrators Deep Space 2 | USA | 3 December 1999 | 73°N 210°W / 73°N 210°W / 73; -210 | Contact lost prior to landing. |
| Beagle 2 | UK/ ESA | 25 December 2003 | 11°31′35″N 90°25′46″E / 11 °N 90 °E / 11 ; 90 | Successful soft landing. No contact due to solar "petals" not deploying fully, blocking antenna. |
| MER-A Spirit | USA | 3 January 2004 | 14°34′18″S 175°28′43″E / 14 °S 175 °E / -14 ; 175 | Mars rover. Contact lost 22 March 2010. |
| MER-B Opportunity | USA | 25 January 2004 | 1°56′46″S 5°31′36″W / 1 °S 5 °W / -1 ; -5 | Mars rover. Contact lost 10 June 2018. |
| Phoenix | USA | 25 May 2008 | 68°13′08″N 125°44′57″W / 68 °N 125 °W / 68 ; -125 | Successful soft landing in the north polar region. |
| Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) | USA | 6 August 2012 | 4°35′22″S 137°26′30″E / 4 °S 137 °E / -4 ; 137 | Mars rover. Landed in Gale Crater. |
| ExoMars Schiaparelli EDM lander | ESA RFSA | 19 October 2016 | 2°04′S 353°47′E / 2 °S 353 °E / -2 ; 353 | Contact lost after entry and parachute deployment, but before planned landing. Hard impact on the surface. |
| InSight | USA | 26 November 2018 | 4°30′N 135°54′E / 4 °N 135 °E / 4 ; 135 (InSight landing site) | Successful soft landing. |
| Mars 2020 Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter | USA | 18 February 2021 | 18°26′41″N 77°27′03″E / 18 °N 77 °E / 18 ; 77 | Mars rover and helicopter. Successful soft landing in Jezero Crater. Helicopter deployed from rover on 3 April 2021. |
| Tianwen-1 lander and Zhurong rover | China | 14 May 2021 | 25°06′N 109°54′E / 25 °N 109 °E / 25 ; 109 | Successful soft landing in Utopia Planitia. Zhurong rover deployed on 22 May 2021. |
· Planets › Jupiter
Galileo atmospheric probe
Galileo atmospheric probe
Mission
Galileo atmospheric probe
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
7 December 1995
Notes
Atmospheric probe of Jupiter.
Galileo
Galileo
Mission
Galileo
Country/Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
21 September 2003
Notes
Main craft was intentionally directed at Jupiter and disintegrated in Jovian atmosphere.
| Mission | Country/Agency | Date of landing/impact | Notes |
| Galileo atmospheric probe | USA | 7 December 1995 | Atmospheric probe of Jupiter. |
| Galileo | USA | 21 September 2003 | Main craft was intentionally directed at Jupiter and disintegrated in Jovian atmosphere. |
· Planets › Saturn
Cassini orbiter
Cassini orbiter
Mission
Cassini orbiter
Country/ Agency
USA
Date of landing/impact
15 September 2017
Notes
Main craft was intentionally directed at Saturn and disintegrated in Saturn's atmosphere
| Mission | Country/ Agency | Date of landing/impact | Notes |
| Cassini orbiter | USA | 15 September 2017 | Main craft was intentionally directed at Saturn and disintegrated in Saturn's atmosphere |
References
- Russian planetary explorationhttps://books.google.com/books?id=jKmIclMIwPAC&pg=PA101
- "Pioneer Venus Probes"https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/pvprobes.html
- "NSSDC Master Catalog - Venera 13 Descent Craft"https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1981-106D
- "Mars 2, 3 (Mars M71 , , )"https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mars-71.htm
- "Mars 3"http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/histind/Mars3/Mars3.html
- NASAhttps://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/viking.html
- "Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars", BBC News, 16 January 2015https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30784886
- "Schiaparelli crash site in colour"http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/Schiaparelli_crash_site_in_colour
- "The Sky is Falling" Archived 2010-04-02 at the Wayback Machine, NASA, April 28, 2006https://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/28apr_skyisfalling.htm
- Astronomy Magazinehttp://astronomy.com/news/2017/09/a-lunar-orbiters-final-resting-place
- "Result of controlled drop of lunar orbiter "KAGUYA (SELENE)""https://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/06/20090611_kaguya_j.html
- "Future Chinese Lunar Missions"https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/cnsa_moon_future.html
- "China confirms landing site for Chang'e-5 Moon sample return"https://web.archive.org/web/20190328154816/https://gbtimes.com/china-confirms-landing-site-change-5-moon-sample-return
- "Chang'e-5 spacecraft smashes into moon after completing mission"https://spacenews.com/change-5-spacecraft-smashes-into-moon-after-completing-mission/
- Chandrayaan 3 - After The Landing What Happens Next?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=howp3hl5Zag
- "SLIM Project Press Kit"https://global.jaxa.jp/countdown/slim/SLIM-mediakit-EN_2308.pdf
- wwwhttp://www.lroc.asu.edu/posts/1360
- "First Look: Chang'e 6"https://www.lroc.asu.edu/images/1374
- nssdchttps://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=BLUEGHOST
- "NASA's DART Mission Hits Asteroid in First-Ever Planetary Defense Test"https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-dart-mission-hits-asteroid-in-first-ever-planetary-defense-test