Exploring the Red Planet
Mars Rovers Mars Express Orbiter 2005 Phoenix 2007 Smart Lander 2009
MTO 2009 Mars Internet Euro Rover 2011 Sample Return 2016 Japan Nozomi
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Phobos Future Plans Other Places Human Trips Mars the Planet

In the second decade of this century...
A Landing and Sample Return Mission
SERIES OF MARS SCOUTING MISSIONS »

In the second decade of the 21st century, NASA plans to send a major mission to return samples of Martian rock and soil to Earth. There would be opportunities for such a large-scale sample return mission to be launched in 2014 or 2016. Optionally, a sample return mission could be launched earlier. Technology development for the mission would include miniaturized surface science instruments and deep drilling to hundreds of meters.

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Exploring Mars
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NASA Mars History:
Rover Spirit 2003
Rover Opportunity 2003
Express 2003
Odyssey 2001
Polar Lander 1999
Climate Orbiter 1998
Deep Space 2 1999
Global Surveyor 1996
Pathfinder Lander 1996
Rover Sojourner 1996
Pathfinder Mission 1996
Viking-1 Lander 1975
Viking-2 Orbiter 1975
Viking-1 Lander 1975
Viking-1 Orbiter 1975
Mariner 9 Orbiter 1971
Mars 3 Lander 1971
Mariner 4 Flyby 1964
Viking Mission 1975
Mars Meteorites - JPL
Explorations Planned:
2003 & Beyond - Goddard
2005 & Beyond - JPL
Mars Exploration - JPL
Plans to Explore Planets

Solar System:
Solar System - JPL
Welcome to the Planets - JPL
Planetary Photojournal - JPL
Mars - Athena - NASA Ames
Solar System Tour - BBC
Mars - New York Times
Windows...Universe - UMich
Mars - Apollo Society
Planetary Society
Mars Society
The Nine Planets
Planet Mars Company
Solar System - STO
Solar System Tour
Artist conception of Mars with water four billion years ago
NASA CONCEPTION OF MARS WITH
WATER FOUR BILLIONS YEAR AGO
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