The next Mars Rover will launch from the Space Coast on board an Atlas V rocket.

  • NASA awarded Mars 2020 mission to ULA
  • Atlas V rocket will carry Mars 2020 rover

NASA and United Launch Alliance announced Thursday that Atlas will carry Mars 2020 to the Red Planet.

It's a mission ULA has plenty of experience with. The company has launched 17 successful missions to Mars over the decades.

The Mars 2020 rover mission is part of the Mars Exploration Program, NASA's ongoing effort to tackle high-priority science goals and answer questions about the potential for life on the planet.

The Mars 2020 mission will launch from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in summer of 2020.

Before then, ULA will launch the InSight mission to Mars in May 2018.