By means of orbiters, landers, rovers and sample return missions, NASA's revamped campaign to explore Mars, announced today, is poised to unravel the secrets of the red planet's past environments, the history of its rocks, the many roles of water and, possibly, evidence of past or present life.
Six major missions are planned in this decade as part of a scientific tapestry that will weave a tale of new understanding of Earth's sometimes enigmatic and surprising neighbor.
Oct 04, 2002 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Space Medicine
(NASA) - In order for astronauts to safely travel to Mars and other planets, new technologies must be developed to dope with the ill effects of space.
Jul 30, 2002 | MISSIONS
NASA's Mars 'Czar' Gives a Status Report on Red Planet Plans
(Space.com) - Orlando Figueroa discusses bringing back a piece of Mars and other long-term missions.
May 08, 2002 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Study Urges Caution about Possible Dangerous Martian Life
(Space.com) - The National Research Council has outlined planetary protection measures for a human trip to Mars.
Mar 19, 2002 | MISSIONS
Radiation Instrument Goes back to Work
(NASA) - Engineers have fixed the malfunctioning Martian
Radiation Environment experiment (MARIE) aboard the Mars Odyssey spacecraft.
Dec 17, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
New Signs of Water on Mars Create Hope of Great Discovery
(Space.com) - The Mars Odyssey orbiter has found preliminary signs of water or water ice just below the planet's surface.
Oct 03, 2001 | SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGIES
Surviving the Stress of Extreme Environments
(European Space Agency) - At a recent conference in Toulouse, France, researchers discussed the ways in which stress may affect future missions beyond Earth orbit.
Sep 10, 2001 | SCIENCE
Space Station Astronauts: Trip to Mars is Doable
(CNN) - The recently returned crew of the International Space Station believe
humans would be able to adapt to Martian conditions despite the ill effects of spending
months in microgravity.
Aug 21, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Mars Odyssey Mission Status
(NASA) - While the spacecraft is in overall good health. flight controllers have turned off the Martian Radiation Environment Experiment (MARIE) after the instrument did not respond.
Aug 21, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Mars Airplane Prototype Completes Test Flight
(NASA) - A test version of an airplane that someday may fly over Mars successfully completed a high-altitude flight.
Aug 06, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Astronauts' Bodies Suffer Without Gravity
(NASA) - The absence of gravity in space can cause serious problems for astronauts, including muscle and bone loss, when they return to the EarthÂs surface.
Aug 01, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Waste Not, Want Not on the Road to Mars
(ESA) - An artificial ecosystem prepares to undergo its first tests.
Jul 18, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
New Wheels Developed for Mars
(Florida Today) - Creative wheel designs are required to get around the planet's difficult terrain.
Jul 18, 2001 | MISSIONS
Dust Storm Rages on Mars
(CNN) - NASAÂs Mars Global Surveyor has spotted a large dust storm on Mars, and researchers expect that the storm will continue to grow.
Jul 09, 2001 | MISSIONS
First Crew of Simulated Mars Base Settles In
(The Mars Society) - A simulated Mars base is now open for business.
Jun 28, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Simulating a Martian Colony in the Arctic
(Space.com) - A prototype Mars base will permit a full-dress rehearsal for a human trip to Mars
May 23, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Canadian University Works to Sustain Life in Deep Space
(Space.com) - A new laboratory will help researchers design renewable life support systems for long-duration space missions.
May 15, 2001 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Human Travel to Mars May Happen Sooner Than Expected, Scientists Say
(National Georaphic) - Researchers are considering the feasibility of a human mission to Mars.
May 14, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Remote Devon Island Is Site of Mars Research
(Space.com/Florida Today) - Researchers will spend the summer living in a simulated Mars base.
May 08, 2001 | MISSIONS
Humans to Mars in 20 Years or Less, NASA Chief Says
(Space.com/Reuters) - According to NASA administrator Daniel Goldin, research conducted aboard the International Space Station will help make travel to Mars possible.
May 02, 2001 | MISSIONS
Space Weather on Mars
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - Future human explorers of Mars can leave their umbrellas back on Earth, but perhaps they shouldn't forget their Geiger counters! A NASA experiment en route to the Red Planet aims to find out.
Apr 16, 2001 | MISSIONS
Contracts awarded for initial Mars sample return studies
(NASA) - A mission to bring Martian soil back to Earth could launch as early as 2011.
Feb 16, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Probe finds sedimentary rock in unlikely place on Mars
(Spaceflight Now/NASA) - New photos of the Martian surface reveal sedimentary layers at higher latitudes than expected.
Jan 26, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Mars ocean hypothesis hits the shore
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - Photographs of the Martian surface find no sign of a sea cliff along a possible ancient shoreline.
Dec 22, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Scientists to begin selecting landing sites for Mars rovers
(Space.com) - The two rovers will search for evidence of liquid water in Mars' ancient past.
Dec 20, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Beagle 2 landing site on Mars selected
(ESA) - The region appears to be a sedimentary basin where traces of life could have been preserved.
Nov 20, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES, EDUCATION
New Mars research facility to involve scientists, college students, teachers, kids
(NASA) - The facility will permit scientists, teachers, college students and even grade-school kids to participate in the exploration of another planet.
Nov 07, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Group fears Mars sample return might contaminate Earth
(CNN) - Planetary protection is one of astrobiology's primary objectives.
Nov 01, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Sharper, clearer 3D map of Mars
(NASA) - The map, released last year, reveals evidence of water on ancient Mars. An update adds crisp detail.
Oct 23, 2000 | MISSIONS
France to join U.S. in Mars exploration mission
(Space.com) - The Mars 2003 Rover mission may be launched aboard the European Arianne 5 rocket.
Sep 14, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
How deep to dig for life on Mars?
(NASA) - NASA researchers have simulated chemical processes in the Martian soil. Their findings will help determine how deep to dig to look for life on Mars.
Sep 04, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Balloons may explore Mars
(space.com) - A new technology may lead to dozens of balloons drifting over the Martian surface.
Aug 31, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Life thrives at edge of glaciers
(space.com) - The findings indicate that polar ice caps of Mars may be a prime location to look for life.
Aug 28, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Mars Express mission taking shape
(Spaceflight Now/ESA) - Construction and testing of the European space probe is underway.
Aug 21, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Liquid water on the surface of Mars?
(space.com) - A group of scientists disputes the consensus that liquid water can't exist on the Martian surface.
Aug 17, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Microscope to search for life on Mars
(space.com) - The microscope will be carried aboard the British Beagle 2 lander, set to land in 2003.
Aug 16, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES, EDUCATION
Making Mars bricks
(space.com) - A college student is developing a method for Mars astronauts to build radiation-proof structures from the soil around them.
Aug 14, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Researchers learn from simulated Mars base
(space.com) - The Mars Arctic Research Station is providing insights into how to design human missions to Mars.
Aug 13, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Testing a spacesuit for Mars
(space.com) - In a Mars-like region of the Arctic, researchers are attempting to conduct their geological research while wearing a prototype spacesuit.
Jun 22, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Evidence of liquid water on Mars
(NASA) - Images show signs of water seeping from an underground aquifer. Where there is liquid water, there might be life.
May 17, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES, EDUCATION
Students control a prototype Mars rover
(Science@NASA) - Students from around the country will take control of a prototype Mars rover named FIDO as it explores a Nevada desert.
May 11, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Robotic missions to explore the solar system
(space.com) - Robots may bring back samples from the Moon and the asteroid belt, and may look for life on Europa. Robotic helicopters could explore Mars and Titan.
May 02, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Have we missed signs of life on Mars?
(Spaceflight Now) - The Viking landers may have overlooked traces of life on Mars because they were searching for the wrong chemicals.
Apr 27, 2000 | MISSIONS
Life detection technology gets room to grow
(space.com) - The postponement of missions to Mars gives scientists more time to hone technologies for searching for life.
Apr 27, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Frosty view of Mars seen in new Global Surveyor images
(NASA) - New images from the Mars Global Surveyor reveal seasonal changes on the Red Planet. Ice recedes from the south pole, while frost encrusts on a crater in the north.
Apr 17, 2000 | MISSIONS
Mars Express on target and forging links with Japan
(ESA) - Work on the mission to Mars is proceeding on schedule.
Apr 10, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
New Global Surveyor images reveal exotic Martian landscape
(NASA) - Two new photo mosaics may help determine the composition of the southern polar caps of Mars.
Mar 30, 2000 | MISSIONS
Administrator urges NASA: Keep daring to dream
(NASA) - Administrator Daniel S. Goldin encouraged NASA employees to continue to "press the boundaries" of exploration.
Mar 20, 2000 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Device to extract oxygen from Martian atmosphere
(CNN) - Astronauts may one day make their own oxygen on Mars.
Mar 14, 2000 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Evidence of buried water channels on Mars
(NY Times [free registration req'd]) - The findings add to the evidence that an ocean of water existed on ancient Mars.
Feb 16, 2000 | MISSIONS
Signal probably from Earth, not from Mars Polar Lander
(NASA) - Scientists now believe that a signal picked up last month probably came from a terrestrial source, not from the Mars Polar Lander.
Jan 27, 2000 | EDUCATION
High school students wanted to plan life and work on Mars
(NASA) - High school students, some of whom may live on Mars one day, have a chance to plan what living and working conditions will be on the Red Planet. The Second Annual NASA JSC Mars Settlement Design Competition takes place February 11-13.
Jan 10, 2000 | TECHNOLOGIES
Amphibious monster rover for Mars and beyond
(space.com) - A future Mars rover may roll past obstacles on beachball-like tires.
Dec 17, 1999 | TECHNOLOGIES
Balloon flight will help scientists understand how to shield Mars crews
(Science@NASA) - A 10-day balloon flight this month will carry aloft
two small cosmic ray detectors. Their findings will help protect future astronauts from radiation in deep space and on Mars.
Dec 14, 1999 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Radiation-resistant microbe could play major role in Martian exploration
(Science@NASA) - The microbe can help scientists determine the best locations to seek life on Mars. Later, it may help
keep astronauts healthy. Finally, it may reshape Mars for colonists.
Dec 11, 1999 | MISSIONS
NASA chief refuses to rule out Mars 2001 lander
(SpaceViews) - Despite the recent loss of the Mars Polar Lander, NASA Administrator Dan Goldin would not rule out a mission to land on Mars in 2001.
Dec 09, 1999 | MISSIONS
Clinton defends NASA after Mars Polar Lander loss
(SpaceViews) - The President asserted the importance of space exploration, adding, "I don't think we should quit now."
Dec 07, 1999 | MISSIONS
Hopes fade for Mars spacecraft
(NASA) - Mission controllers for
NASA's Mars Polar
Lander acknowledge that
they hold out very little
hope of communicating
with the spacecraft.
Dec 06, 1999 | MISSIONS
Efforts to contact Mars Polar Lander continue
(NASA) - Another attempt to reestablish communications with the spacecraft is set for shortly after midnight on December 7.
Dec 06, 1999 | MISSIONS
Web chat: NASA experts answer your questions about the Mars Polar Lander
(NASA) - Join in an asynchronous chat with experts and scientists from now through December 17. Brief answers to questions will be provided.
Dec 02, 1999 | EDUCATION
Thursday's Classroom visits the Red Planet
(Science@NASA) - To coincide with Friday's landing of the Mars Polar Lander, this week's episode of Thursday's Classroom features lessons and activities about the Red Planet, its climate, martian water, and the hunt for microscopic fossils. Lesson Plans
include a humorous science fiction story about the Mars
Microprobes, "South Pole Mars Bars" (a comparison of temperatures
at the south poles of Mars and Earth), Martian Math, and much
more.
Nov 30, 1999 | TECHNOLOGIES
Using planet's atmosphere to conserve spacecraft fuel
(UniSci) - The Mars Global Surveyor mission used aerodynamic drag to slow into its initial orbit. Future spacecraft could use this type of aerobraking to shift from one orbit to another as needed.
Nov 30, 1999 | MISSIONS
NASA rejects Mars Airplane in favor of Mars communication satellite
(SpaceViews) - As its first low-cost Mars Micromission, NASA has selected a satellite to improve transmissions between other Mars spacecraft and Earth. The decision will delay or cancel the Mars Airplane mission.
Nov 30, 1999 | MISSIONS
Mars Polar Lander nears arrival
(NASA) - NASA returns to the surface of Mars on
December 3 with a spacecraft that will land near
the edge of Mars' frigid south polar cap.
Nov 12, 1999 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Revised instruments announced for Mars Express
(SpaceViews) - The European Space agency (ESA) will upgrade instruments on the Mars Express mission to help fill the gap left by the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter.
Oct 01, 1999 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
New Mars images: no evidence of ancient shorelines
(NASA) - According to a team of researchers, new photos show no sign of past oceans on Mars.
Aug 25, 1999 | MISSIONS
NASA announces next Mars landing site
(NASA) - The Mars Polar Lander will study the planet's climate history, and look for evidence of water there.
Aug 24, 1999 | MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Hunt for life on Mars gets rehearsal in Egyptian Desert
(Houston Chronicle/AFP) - Radar for searching for life on Mars will be tested in Egypt. The technologies will be used aboard the Mars Express mission.
Jul 20, 1999 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Scientists debate implications of Mars pictures
(CNN) - At the Fifth International
Conference on Mars, researchers differed over what the photos from Mars Global Surveyor tell us. They discussed the evidence of water and the possibility of life on past and present Mars.
Jul 01, 1999 | MISSIONS
New Hubble images of Mars
(Science@NASA) - The images reveal Mars' dynamic, fluctuating climate.
