Mars, the mysterious red planet, has long been the target of human space exploration efforts. With its surface believed to have once contained water and the possibility of life, Mars has not only captured the human imagination but has also been the main research subject of space missions for decades. Since the 1960s, a series of missions have been launched to explore, learn about and expand our understanding of this planet.

The 1960s: The First Steps

The exploration of Mars began in the 1960s with the launch of NASA’s Mariner missions. Mariner 4, launched in 1964, made history by becoming the first spacecraft to fly by Mars and sending back the first close-up images of the planet. Images from Mariner 4 revealed a cratered surface similar to the Moon, with no obvious signs of liquid water. While this result dampened hopes of life on Mars at the time, it marked a major turning point in space exploration.

Following the success of Mariner 4, NASA launched Mariner 6 and Mariner 7 in 1969. These two spacecraft flew closer to Mars and returned more images and data about the red planet’s atmosphere. Although these missions were unable to land or orbit Mars, they provided valuable knowledge that laid the foundation for future missions.

1970s: Success with Viking Missions

One of the most notable milestones of the 1970s was NASA’s Viking mission. Launched in 1975, Viking 1 and Viking 2 not only orbited Mars but also successfully landed on the planet’s surface in 1976. This was the first time humans were able to conduct direct research on Mars.

The Vikings conducted many important experiments, including searching for signs of life. Although the results could not confirm the existence of bacteria or other life forms, the Vikings sent back thousands of images and detailed data about the climate, geology, and potential for water on Mars. They found that Mars may have once had a wetter environment, with water in the form of rivers and lakes on the surface, which has led to theories about life on the red planet.

The 1990s: Rediscovery After a Lull

After the success of Viking, Mars exploration activities were put on hold for a long time. It was not until the 1990s, with advances in technology and NASA’s recovery from initial failures, that Mars exploration really resumed. One of the most prominent missions of this period was Mars Pathfinder, launched in 1996.

Mars Pathfinder not only carried a lander but also a small rover called Sojourner. This was the first time a rover had been able to move across the surface of Mars, collect rock samples and send back valuable geological data to Earth. The success of Pathfinder and Sojourner marked a milestone, showing that rovers could operate effectively in the harsh environment of Mars, opening a new era for future rover missions.

The 2000s: The Age of Autonomous Robots

The 2000s saw a dramatic increase in Mars rovers. The two most famous rovers of this period were Spirit and Opportunity, launched in 2003 as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover mission. Spirit and Opportunity not only lasted much longer than originally planned, but also provided important data on the geological history of Mars.

Both robots have traveled tens of kilometers across the Martian surface, exploring craters, rocks, and finding evidence of liquid water once existing on the planet. In particular, Opportunity has discovered minerals and rock structures associated with water, further strengthening the theory that Mars once had an environment capable of supporting life.

Another notable mission of the 2000s was the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), launched in 2005. With its high-resolution imaging capabilities and advanced instruments, MRO has provided a wealth of data on Mars’ climate, geology, and current geological activity. MRO has also helped scientists select safe landing sites for future missions, such as Phoenix and Curiosity.

The 2010s: Breakthroughs

The 2010s marked breakthroughs in Mars exploration with the launch of more advanced missions, including the Mars Science Laboratory mission with the Curiosity rover. Launched in 2011 and successfully landed in 2012, Curiosity ushered in a new era in Mars exploration and research.

Curiosity is not only equipped with modern scientific instruments, but also has the ability to analyze rocks and the atmosphere with high precision. One of Curiosity’s most important findings was the discovery of organic compounds in rock samples, along with traces of methane in the Martian atmosphere, opening up the possibility that life may have existed or still exists in the form of microorganisms on this planet.

Another notable mission is InSight, launched in 2018. InSight focuses on studying the internal structure of Mars using seismic and temperature measurements. The data collected by InSight helps scientists better understand the geological structure of Mars, thereby hypothesizing the formation and evolution of the planet.

The 2020s and Beyond: Towards Human Presence

With advances in technology and achievements, the 2020s mark a major turning point in the exploration of Mars. One of the most notable missions is Perseverance, which launched in 2020 and landed successfully in 2021. Perseverance not only continues to search for signs of life, but also tests important technologies for future manned missions, such as MOXIE, a device capable of producing oxygen from CO2 in the Martian atmosphere.

Perseverance also carries a small helicopter, Ingenuity, marking the first time a vehicle has flown on another planet. Ingenuity’s success is not only a technical feat, but also opens up the possibility of using drones to explore hard-to-reach areas on Mars and other planets in the Solar System.

In the near future, NASA and other space agencies are planning human missions to Mars. Programs like Artemis, which aims to return humans to the Moon, will play a key role in testing technology and preparing for a long journey to Mars. These missions will not only be about exploration, but also about building permanent bases that could pave the way for human settlement on the red planet.

From Mariner’s first steps to our ambitious plans for the next decade, the journey to Mars has been more than just a scientific adventure; it has also been a testament to humanity’s perseverance and desire to push the limits of what is possible. This journey will continue to be an important part of the history of human space exploration, and perhaps shape our future on other planets in the universe.