Scientists have always longed to explore Mars. They believe that in the past the Red Planet could have been far warmer and wetter than it is now. There may once have even been life on Mars, and tiny life forms, such as bacteria, could live on the planet today. Many spacecraft have already visited Mars and in the future humans will too.
Water on Mars
In 2015, NASA found the strongest evidence yet that liquid water exists on Mars. This was a hugely exciting discovery because scientists looking for life in our Solar System think that where there is liquid water, there could be life.
Curiosity Rover
The six-wheeled, car sized robot lives and works on the planet, operated by a team of scientists back on Earth. Their instructions take about 15 minutes to reach Mars!
Curiosity has 17 cameras on board. As well as taking photos, this camera can fire a laser to clean away dust from Martian rocks!
Curiosity’s robotic arm holds tools for examining the surface. Wide, grippy wheels help the rover travel over bumpy terrain.
Human exploration
One day people will walk on Mars. Astronauts will see the landscape with their own eyes and become the first humans to walk on another planet. Even if no life is found, reaching Mars will be a crucial step on the way to exploring the wider Solar System.
Picture Credit : Google