| Pre-launch Activities |
Preparation for the mission, including landing site selection, assembly and testing, and delivery to Cape Canaveral |
| Launch |
Lift-off from Earth |
| Cruise |
Voyage through space to Mars |
| Approach |
Nearing the red planet |
| Entry, Descent, and Landing |
Journey through the martian atmosphere to the surface |
| First Drive |
After landing when engineers first conduct tests to ensure the rover is in a "safe state" |
| Surface Operations |
Learning about Mars through the day-to-day activities of the rover |
