The Red Planet has been a subject of fascination for humanity for thousands of years, becoming part of our folklore and popular culture. The most Earthlike of the planets in our solar system, Mars may have harbored some form of life in the past and may still possess an ecosystem in some underground refuge. The mysteries of this fourth planet from our Sun make it of central importance to NASA and its science goals for the twenty-first century. In the wake of the very public failures of the Mars Polar Lander and the Mars Climate Orbiter in 1999, NASA embarked on a complete reassessment of the Mars Program. Scott Hubbard was asked to lead this restructuring in 2000, becoming known as the "Mars Czar." His team's efforts resulted in a very successful decade-long series of missions—each building on the accomplishments of those before it—that adhered to the science adage "follow the water" when debating how to proceed. Hubbard's work created the Mars Odyssey mission, the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Phoenix mission, and most recently the planned launch of the Mars Science Laboratory. Now for the first time Scott Hubbard tells the complete story of how he fashioned this program, describing both the technical and political forces involved and bringing to life the national and international cast of characters engaged in this monumental endeavor. Blending the exciting stories of the missions with the thrills of scientific discovery, Exploring Mars will intrigue anyone interested in the science, the engineering, or the policy of investigating other worlds.

Introduction: The book "Exploring Mars: The Red Planet Revealed" welcomes readers to the enigmatic world of Mars, a planet that has captivated human imagination for centuries. It emphasizes the importance of Mars exploration and provides an overview of the topics covered in the book. Chapter 1: The Geology of Mars: This chapter delves into the geological history of Mars, covering its formation and evolution. It explores surface features such as volcanoes, valleys, and impact craters, comparing geological similarities and differences with Earth. Recent discoveries in Martian geology are highlighted, providing insights into the planet's past. Chapter 2: The Atmosphere of Mars: The atmospheric conditions of Mars are examined in detail, including its composition, structure, and climate patterns. Atmospheric phenomena such as dust storms and clouds are discussed, along with the challenges posed by the thin atmosphere for human exploration. Chapter 3: Potential for Life on Mars: This chapter explores the historical perspectives on Martian life and examines the factors influencing habitability, such as water, temperature, and radiation. The search for extremophiles and current/future missions focusing on astrobiology are also addressed. Chapter 4: Exploration History: A historical overview of Mars exploration is provided, from early observations to recent robotic missions like Curiosity and Perseverance. The contributions of international space agencies and private companies to Martian exploration are discussed. Chapter 5: Future Missions and Human Colonization: The chapter outlines plans for future human missions to Mars, addressing the challenges of long-duration space travel and living on the planet. Proposals for Martian habitats, life support systems, and the concept of terraforming are explored. Chapter 6: Technological Advancements and Innovations: Technological breakthroughs in Martian exploration are examined, including advancements in rovers, landers, and orbiters. Emerging technologies and the role of AI and robotics in Mars exploration are also discussed. Chapter 7: Economic Opportunities and Resource Utilization: The potential resources on Mars, such as water, minerals, and gases, are explored for their applications in in-situ resource utilization. Economic incentives for private sector involvement in Mars exploration and ethical considerations are addressed. Chapter 8: Cultural Impact and Imagination: This chapter delves into the cultural impact of Mars exploration, including its portrayal in literature, film, and popular culture. The significance of Mars exploration and its role in inspiring future generations of explorers are highlighted. Conclusion: The book concludes by reflecting on the journey of exploring Mars and the ongoing exploration efforts. It looks ahead to the next chapter in Martian exploration and the possibilities it holds for humanity. Addendum: The addendum includes a glossary of terms, a list of organic and inorganic matter found on Mars, as well as additional information on volcanoes, valleys, and craters on the planet. References are provided for further reading and research.

Exploring Mars: Secrets of the Red Planet by the Editors of Scientific American Our nearest planetary neighbor has been the subject of endless fascination and wide-ranging theories throughout history. Is there life on Mars? Was there ever life on Mars? What was the atmosphere like thousands or millions of years ago? From Percival Lowell, who built his own observatory so he could dedicate himself to studying the red planet, to NASA landing the car-sized Opportunity rover in 2012, this eBook, Exploring Mars: Secrets of the Red Planet, traces Scientific American's coverage of the observation and exploration of Mars. The first section outlines early 20th century theories about Mars, including the possibility of an intricate canal system built by an intelligent species. Once the space probes enter the picture, most of those ideas were debunked, but even more questions arose. The second section covers current missions, which found evidence of ancient oceans and a thicker atmosphere that has since been lost. The third section raises even more exciting possibilities with ambitious plans for future missions. In this book, you'll follow these advances in astronomy and planetary science as better and better technology brings us incrementally closer to unlocking the secrets of Mars.

This book explores various perspectives surrounding the ongoing efforts to explore Mars and the men and women who work to better understand our solar system. Readers are immersed in the action as their choices guide the narrative.

Introduces the past missions to Mars, describes the characteristics of Mars's environment, and explains how scientists might explore Mars in the future.

Scientists have spent a lot of time exploring Mars, so it’s one of the planets we know the most about. They believe it used to look a lot like Earth, with oceans and lakes on its surface. Today, it’s cold and rocky. Through clear diagrams and vivid photographs, readers explore the surface of Mars. Fun facts that supplement this common science curriculum topic allow readers to feel like space explorers, learning exciting new things about the Red Planet.

Highly accessible writing combines with a magazine-style format in this series focusing on cutting-edge science. Each subject illustrates how scientists solve problems and develop new technology while firmly connecting each title to core curricular subjects. The books are aimed at children aged nine to 14.

"Explores various perspectives on exploration of Mars by rovers. The reader's choices reveal the historical details"--