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Sophisticated probes should unravel old mysteries:

What Would We Like to Know?


ESA artist concept of Europe's Mars Express
Europe's Mars Express
click to enlarge ESA art
The new era of sophisticated robot probes launched from Earth by the United States, Russia, Japan, Europe and China will teach us many new things about Mars and should further unravel some old mysteries.

What would we like the coming flotilla of space probes to tell us about Mars? Among other things, Solar System astronomers and physical scientists hope to find: Researchers say Mars once was more like Earth — warmer and wetter with a denser atmosphere. Over the next two decades, many landers have been scheduled to touch down on the Red Planet and many orbiters are scheduled to circle above, mapping the Martian terrain and relaying communications back to Earth.
MORE ON PAST AND FUTURE MARS PROBES »



It's all about the search for life. The biggest Mars mystery is whether life ever did, or still does, exist on the Red Planet. The discovery on Earth of meteorites from Mars which seem to contain evidence of primitive life out there has raised many new questions about the origin of life in the Solar System. Answering such questions and unraveling mysteries would lead to an age of enlightenment on Earth. The answers undoubtedly would bring up even more profound questions.
MORE ON THE SEARCH FOR LIFE »



Sending human life to Mars. Human flights to the Red Planet probably will commence sometime between 2015-2030. NASA, Russia, Europe, Japan and China are contemplating plans for human crews to explore Mars eventually.

It takes time to design and carry out such elaborate missions. NASA says six years would be required between a final decision to send humans to Mars and blastoff. The actual blastoff date depends on what the robot Mars probes find at the Red Planet. The data on Mars climate and geology they collect will be essential for planning ahead. The sample-return probes will return to Earth from Mars with pounds of Martian rock and soil for analysis.

The orbiters, landers and sample returns will confirm that Mars has mysteries requiring the presence of humans to solve.
MORE ON HUMAN FLIGHTS TO MARS »


Learn more:
Human Exploration of Mars:
There have been three stages of exploration so far
Sand dunes: Dust Storms: Air: Carbon Dioxide: Outflow Channels: Valley Networks: Rift Valley: Ice: Ice caps: Frost: Water: Artesian Water: Mars Weather: Mars Photo Galleries: Planet features: Canals: Rocks: Mountains: Dating and aging: Seasons:
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Exploring Mars
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Mars Orbiter 2005
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NASA MARS HISTORY:
Rover Spirit 2003
Rover Opportunity 2003
Express 2003
Odyssey 2001
Polar Lander 1999
Climate Orbiter 1998
Deep Space 2 1999
Global Surveyor 1996
Pathfinder Lander 1996
Rover Sojourner 1996
Pathfinder Mission 1996
Viking-1 Lander 1975
Viking-2 Orbiter 1975
Viking-1 Lander 1975
Viking-1 Orbiter 1975
Mariner 9 Orbiter 1971
Mars 3 Lander 1971
Mariner 4 Flyby 1964
Viking Mission 1975
Mars Meteorites - JPL
EXPLORATIONS PLANNED:
2003 & Beyond - Goddard
2005 & Beyond - JPL
Mars Exploration - JPL
Plans to Explore Planets


SOLAR SYSTEM:
Solar System - JPL
Welcome to the Planets - JPL
Planetary Photojournal - JPL
Mars - Athena - NASA Ames
Solar System Tour - BBC
Mars - New York Times
Windows...Universe - UMich
Mars - Apollo Society
Planetary Society
Mars Society
The Nine Planets
Planet Mars Company
Solar System - STO
Solar System Tour
Artist conception of Mars with water four billion years ago
NASA CONCEPTION OF MARS WITH
WATER FOUR BILLIONS YEAR AGO
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