The Scientific Exploration of Mars
What do we know about Mars? What remains to be understood? Is there evidence of life there? Will humans ever travel there? The dream of exploring Mars has been around since the early days of human civilization and still forms part of our vision of the future for the human race. Today, we send unmanned spacecraft to explore this neighboring world to examine its climate, search for evidence of past or present life, and learn how conditions there relate to those on Earth. Plans are now being...
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What do we know about Mars? What remains to be understood? Is there evidence of life there? Will humans ever travel there? The dream of exploring Mars has been around since the early days of human civilization and still forms part of our vision of the future for the human race. Today, we send unmanned spacecraft to explore this neighboring world to examine its climate, search for evidence of past or present life, and learn how conditions there relate to those on Earth. Plans are now being prepared for a manned mission to Mars, set against an uncertain background of political, practical, technical and financial considerations. This unique book provides a complete description of the past, present and future of Mars exploration. Written by a scientist intimately involved with missions to Mars, it provides a personal first-hand account. It will appeal to anyone interested in this fascinating planet.
Pt. I Views of Mars, from the beginning to the present day 11 The dawn of Mars exploration 32 The first space missions to Mars 233 After Viking: the twenty-year hiatus 514 The modern era 84Pt. II The Big Science: motivation to continue the quest 1335 The origin and evolution of planet Mars 1356 The changing climate of Mars 1687 The search for life 221Pt. III Plans and visions for the future 2518 The future of the unmanned programme 2539 Towards human expeditions 28410 The first footfall on Mars 308Epilogue: Beyond the horizon 324App. A Data about Mars 328App. B Space missions to Mars 330App. C Mars study groups 332Glossary 337Index 341The plates are situated between pages 50 and 51
