Terrestrial Planet · Red Planet
Mars
The Red Planet has captivated humanity for centuries. With evidence of ancient rivers, polar ice caps, and the tallest volcano in the Solar System, Mars is the most promising candidate for future human colonisation.
Overview
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Atmosphere composition
Carbon Dioxide
95.3%
Nitrogen
2.7%
Argon
1.6%
Oxygen
0.13%
Carbon Monoxide
0.08%
Notable features
- Olympus Mons - tallest volcano (21.9 km), 3× Everest
- Valles Marineris - canyon system 4,000 km long
- Polar ice caps of water and dry ice
- Ancient river deltas and lake beds indicating past liquid water
Space missions
| Mission | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Viking 1 & 2 | 1975 | First successful Mars landers; searched for life |
| Curiosity | 2012-present | Nuclear-powered rover in Gale Crater |
| Perseverance | 2021-present | Collecting samples; Ingenuity helicopter |
| Mars Odyssey | 2001-present | Longest-operating Mars spacecraft |
NASA images
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Images courtesy of NASA Image & Video Library.