Which spacecraft first landed on Mars?

• A. Pathfinder
• B. Viking 1
• C. Opportunity
• D. Spirit

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the timing of when a mission first achieved a successful landing on Mars. Viking 1 did that earlier than any other mission in the list, setting the record for the first soft landing on the Martian surface in 1976 and beginning surface science there. Mars Pathfinder arrived later, in 1997, delivering the Sojourner rover and showcasing a newer landing system. Spirit and Opportunity reached Mars in 2004 as rover missions, continuing exploration after Pathfinder. So the earliest expedition to actually touch down on Mars was Viking 1.