| Description: The mission_phase_name identifies a time period within the mission. |
| Namespace Id: msl | Steward: geo | Class Name: Observation_Information | Type: ASCII_Short_String_Preserved |
| Minimum Value: None | Maximum Value: None | Minimum Characters: 1 | Maximum Characters: 255 |
| Unit of Measure Type: None | Default Unit Id: None | Attribute Concept: None | Conceptual Domain: SHORT_STRING |
| Status: Active | Nillable: false | Pattern: None |
| Permissible Value(s) | Value | Value Meaning |
| | CRUISE AND APPROACH | The cruise and approach phase began when the launch phase ended, and ended 30 minutes prior to entry into the Mars atmosphere. Mission Phase Start Time : 2011-11-26 Mission Phase Stop Time : 2012-08-06 |
| | DEVELOPMENT | The development phase began in October 2003 with concept and technology development, followed by preliminary design and technology development completion from March 2006 through September 2006, final design and fabrication from September 2006 through January 2008, and system assembly, integration, and test from late January 2008 until launch on November 26, 2011. Mission Phase Start Time : 2003-10-01 Mission Phase Stop Time : 2011-11-26 |
| | ENTRY, DESCENT, AND LANDING | The entry, descent, and landing (EDL) phase began when the Cruise and Approach Phase was over (30 minutes before atmospheric entry), and ended when the rover reached a thermally stable, positive energy balance, commandable configuration on the surface of Mars. Mission Phase Start Time : 2012-08-06 Mission Phase Stop Time : 2012-08-06 |
| | EXTENDED SURFACE MISSION | The extended surface phase began on Sol 764. Mission Phase Start Time : 2014-09-29 Mission Phase Stop Time : UNK |
| | LAUNCH | The launch phase began when the spacecraft switched to internal power prior to launch and ended when the spacecraft reached a thermally stable commandable configuration after separation from the launch vehicle upper stage. Mission Phase Start Time : 2011-11-26 Mission Phase Stop Time : 2011-11-26 |
| | PRIMARY SURFACE MISSION | The primary surface phase began when the EDL phase was over and ended on sol 763. Mission Phase Start Time : 2012-08-06 Mission Phase Stop Time : 2014-09-28 |