Over the next few years, NASA is launching a virtual armada of spacecraft to explore the planet Mars. In this presentation, we'll recap the history of the study of Mars, see what is planned for future exploration, and discuss our current understanding of the "red planet," including the possibility of a crewed mission to Mars and the current state of evidence for the existence of Martian life.

The Hubble Space Telescope captures a full rotation of Mars.
(Photo Number STScI-PRC97-09b, WIFPIC2, March 20, 1997)

1. The History of Earth-Based Exploration of Mars, The History of Earth-Based Exploration of Mars (2003 expanded version)
2. Space Based Exploration Before Viking
3. The Viking Missions
4. Space Based Exploration, 1990 to Present (2001 version), Space Based Exploration, the 1990's (2003 version)
5. Future Probes to Mars (1999 version), Future Probes to Mars (2001 version), Future Probes to Mars (2003 version)
6. Mars: The Specs
7. Phobos and Deimos
8. Life on Mars: The Myths
9. Life on Mars: The Science
10. A Crewed Missions to Mars, A Crewed Missions to Mars (revised 2003 version)
11. Observing Mars This Year (1999 version), Observing Mars This Year (2001 version), Observing Mars This Year (2001 version)
12. Some References and Websites

Nasa image taken August 26, 2003 with Hubble's Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2

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