Records of Exploration Robots Running Beyond Earth
Collection Robots 2026.09.18

Records of Exploration Robots Running Beyond Earth

Real rovers that performed missions on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids

On celestial bodies that humans cannot directly reach, robots first examine the terrain, collect rock samples, and transport scientific equipment. Due to the communication delay on Mars, it is not possible to control movements of the wheels in real-time, and the extreme temperatures on the Moon and weak gravity on asteroids require entirely different modes of movement than on Earth. Survival strategies vary from mission to mission.

This list features actual mobile robots that have explored the Moon, Mars, and asteroids, or are preparing for future missions. By comparing autonomous rovers, remotely operated vehicles, and hopping robots that move without wheels, we can understand how the mission environment determines the form of the machines. The operational phase is categorized by ongoing operation, mission completion, or development stage.

Perseverance

Perseverance is the first subject of interest in our list that shows how celestial environments change movement styles and science missions. As a Mars rover from NASA·JPL, it is tasked with searching for signs of life and storing samples. It is an exploration vehicle that collects rock cores from craters and stores them in sealed tubes. By focusing on this feature of Perseverance, we can specifically compare its role to that of other vehicles on this topic.

The registration information for Perseverance is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘NASA·JPL’ · type ‘Mars rover’ · main mission ‘Search for signs of life and sample storage’ · operational mode ‘autonomous driving, robotic arm, scientific equipment’ · operational phase ‘in operation’. When selecting or evaluating, let's refer to the criteria that 'due to communication delays and limited power, autonomous judgment and protective mode are essential—Perseverance'. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of Perseverance should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 NASA·JPL 유형 화성 로버 주요 임무 생명 흔적 탐사와 시료 저장 작동 방식 자율주행·로봇팔·과학 장비 운용 단계 운용 중
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Curiosity

Curiosity is the second subject of interest in our list that reveals how celestial environments alter movement methods and scientific missions. Also a Mars rover from NASA·JPL, it conducts research into the past habitability of Mars. It has been climbing the Gale crater's layers and analyzing the chemical composition by drilling into rocks. By focusing on this feature of Curiosity, we can compare its role more specifically with other vehicles on this topic.

The registration information for Curiosity is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘NASA·JPL’ · type ‘Mars rover’ · main mission ‘Investigation of past habitability on Mars’ · operational mode ‘autonomous driving, robotic arm, onboard laboratory’ · operational phase ‘in operation’. When selecting or evaluating, let's refer to the criteria that 'the onboard equipment creates completely different scientific objectives for the same vehicle—Curiosity'. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of Curiosity should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 NASA·JPL 유형 화성 로버 주요 임무 화성의 과거 거주 가능성 조사 작동 방식 자율주행·로봇팔·탑재 실험실 운용 단계 운용 중
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Opportunity

Opportunity is the third subject of interest in our list that illustrates how celestial environments change movement styles and scientific missions. As a Mars rover from NASA·JPL, it is responsible for investigating signs of water and conducting geological surveys. It traveled long distances on the Martian surface, exceeding the original plans, to examine minerals related to water. By focusing on this characteristic of Opportunity, we can specifically compare its role among other vehicles on this subject.

The registration information for Opportunity is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘NASA·JPL’ · type ‘Mars rover’ · main mission ‘Investigation of signs of water and geological surveys’ · operational mode ‘solar-powered driving, scientific camera’ · operational phase ‘mission completed’. When selecting or evaluating, let's take into account the standard that 'even mission-completed vehicles have left critical data for the next generation of landing and driving design—Opportunity'. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of Opportunity should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 NASA·JPL 유형 화성 로버 주요 임무 물의 흔적과 지질 조사 작동 방식 태양광 주행·과학 카메라 운용 단계 임무 종료
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Sojourner

Sojourner is the fourth subject of interest in our list that shows how celestial environments influence movement methods and scientific missions. It is a small Mars rover developed by NASA·JPL, tasked with demonstrating mobility technology and rock analysis. As the first Mars rover operated under the Mars Pathfinder mission, it proved the possibility of rover exploration. By focusing on this feature of Sojourner, we can specifically compare its role to that of other vehicles on this topic.

The registration information for Sojourner is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘NASA·JPL’ · type ‘small Mars rover’ · main mission ‘Demonstration of mobility technology and rock analysis’ · operational mode ‘remote command, obstacle avoidance’ · operational phase ‘mission completed’. When selecting or evaluating, let's refer to the criteria that 'due to communication delays and limited power, autonomous judgment and protective mode are essential—Sojourner'. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of Sojourner should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 NASA·JPL 유형 소형 화성 로버 주요 임무 이동 기술 실증과 암석 조사 작동 방식 원격 명령·장애물 회피 운용 단계 임무 종료
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Yutu-2

Yutu-2 is the fifth subject of interest in our list that illustrates how celestial environments change movement methods and scientific missions. It is a lunar rover from CNSA, responsible for geological investigations on the far side of the Moon. As part of the Chang'e 4 mission, it became the first rover to conduct mobile exploration on the Moon's far side. By focusing on this characteristic of Yutu-2, we can specifically compare its role to that of other vehicles in this area.

The registration information for Yutu-2 is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘CNSA’ · type ‘lunar rover’ · main mission ‘Geological investigation of the far side of the Moon’ · operational mode ‘solar-powered driving, spectral observation’ · operational phase ‘in operation’. When selecting or evaluating, let's examine the standard that 'the onboard equipment creates completely different scientific objectives for the same vehicle—Yutu-2'. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of Yutu-2 should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 CNSA 유형 달 로버 주요 임무 달 뒷면 지질 조사 작동 방식 태양광 주행·분광 관측 운용 단계 운용 임무
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Pragyan

Pragyan is the sixth subject of interest in our list that shows how celestial environments influence movement styles and scientific missions. It is a lunar rover from ISRO, responsible for elemental analysis on the surface of the Moon's polar region. Deployed from the Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram, it has conducted on-site measurements of elemental composition on the lunar surface. By focusing on this feature of Pragyan, we can specifically compare its role to that of other vehicles in this area.

The registration information for Pragyan is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘ISRO’ · type ‘lunar rover’ · main mission ‘Elemental analysis on the lunar polar surface’ · operational mode ‘solar-powered driving, spectral equipment’ · operational phase ‘mission completed’. When selecting or evaluating, let's observe the standard that 'even mission-completed vehicles have left important data for the next generation of landing and driving designs—Pragyan'. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of Pragyan should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 ISRO 유형 달 로버 주요 임무 달 남극권 표면 원소 분석 작동 방식 태양광 주행·분광 장비 운용 단계 임무 완료
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Lunokhod 1

Lunokhod 1 is the seventh subject of interest in our list that demonstrates how celestial environments affect movement styles and scientific missions. It is a lunar rover from the Soviet space program, tasked with photographing the lunar surface and conducting soil analysis. As the first successfully operated remotely controlled rover on the Moon, it set a precedent for long-distance exploration. By focusing on this feature of Lunokhod 1, we can compare its role specifically with other vehicles in this category.

The registration information for Lunokhod 1 is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘Soviet space program’ · type ‘lunar rover’ · main mission ‘Lunar surface photography and soil analysis’ · operational mode ‘ground remote control’ · operational phase ‘mission completed’. When selecting or evaluating, let's take into account the standard that 'due to communication delays and limited power, autonomous judgment and protective mode are essential—Lunokhod 1'. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of Lunokhod 1 should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 소련 우주 프로그램 유형 달 로버 주요 임무 달 표면 촬영과 토양 조사 작동 방식 지상 원격 운전 운용 단계 임무 종료
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Rosalind Franklin

Rosalind Franklin is the eighth subject of interest in our list that illustrates how celestial environments shape movement methods and scientific missions. It is a Mars rover from ESA, responsible for exploring underground signs of life. With a deep drill capable of collecting samples beneath the surface, it is a key part of the ExoMars rover mission. By focusing on this characteristic of Rosalind Franklin, we can specifically compare its role to that of other vehicles within this topic.

The registration information for Rosalind Franklin is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘ESA’ · type ‘Mars rover’ · main mission ‘Investigation of underground signs of life’ · operational mode ‘autonomous driving, 2m drill’ · operational phase ‘development and launch preparation’. When selecting or evaluating, let's review the criteria that 'the onboard equipment creates completely different scientific objectives for the same vehicle—Rosalind Franklin'. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of Rosalind Franklin should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 ESA 유형 화성 로버 주요 임무 지하 생명 흔적 탐사 작동 방식 자율주행·2m 드릴 운용 단계 개발·발사 준비
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VIPER

VIPER is the ninth subject of interest in our list that shows how celestial environments influence movement styles and scientific tasks. It is a lunar polar rover from NASA, responsible for investigating the distribution of water ice on the Moon. As a mobile robot the size of a golf cart, it conducts on-site investigations of volatile materials in the lunar polar region. By focusing on this feature of VIPER, we can specifically compare its role to that of other vehicles related to this topic.

The registration information for VIPER is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘NASA’ · type ‘lunar polar rover’ · main mission ‘Investigation of the distribution of water ice on the Moon’ · operational mode ‘polar driving, drilling, spectral equipment’ · operational phase ‘preparing for flight opportunities’. When selecting or evaluating, let’s refer to the standard that ‘even mission-completed vehicles have left important data for the next generation of landing and driving designs—VIPER’. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of VIPER should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 NASA 유형 달 남극 로버 주요 임무 달의 물 얼음 분포 조사 작동 방식 극지 주행·드릴·분광 장비 운용 단계 비행 기회 준비
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MINERVA-II1

MINERVA-II1 is the tenth subject of interest in our list that demonstrates how celestial environments shape movement methods and scientific missions. It is a hopping rover from JAXA for the asteroid Ryugu, tasked with capturing images while moving across its surface. These small rovers bounce instead of rolling due to the very weak gravity on the asteroid. By focusing on this characteristic of MINERVA-II1, we can specifically compare its role to that of other vehicles in this context.

The registration information for MINERVA-II1 is summarized as: developed and manufactured by ‘JAXA’ · type ‘asteroid hopping rover’ · main mission ‘Surface imaging on Ryugu’ · operational mode ‘internal rotor hopping’ · operational phase ‘mission completed’. When selecting or evaluating, let’s take into account the standard that ‘due to communication delays and limited power, autonomous judgment and protective mode are essential—MINERVA-II1’. The service area, specifications, and operational phase of MINERVA-II1 should be verified based on the latest guidance from connected official sources.
개발·제조 JAXA 유형 소행성 호핑 로버 주요 임무 류구 표면 이동 촬영 작동 방식 내부 회전체 호핑 운용 단계 임무 완료
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The success or failure of exploration robots doesn't hinge on moving the fastest. They must find safe paths on limited power, accurately deliver equipment to targets chosen by Earth’s scientific team, and protect themselves even when communication is lost. Some missions are designed to be short but extend over several years, while others may finish just after landing. Even minor malfunctions can become significant variables.

The photos and analysis data left by each rover are reused in the selection of landing sites and equipment design for future explorations. From the past Sojourner and Lunokhod to the present Perseverance and the upcoming Rosalind Franklin, it becomes clear that space robots are not one-time machines, but part of a generational system of exploration where experience accumulates.

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