Gallery: How to Get to Mars ... And Maybe Even Live There

  • Image may contain Space Station
    NASA
    01

    1964-mariner3

    X 1964: Mariner 3 Fails to eject its protective shield; the added weight throws it off trajectory.
  • Image may contain Space Station
    NASA
    02

    1964-mariner04

    1965: Mariner 4 Completes a successful flyby, returning images and readings of the planet’s atmosphere.
  • Image may contain Space Station
    NASA
    03

    1969-mariner06-07

    1969: Mariners 6 & 7 Complete flybys studying the surface and atmosphere to de-termine if Mars might host life.
  • Image may contain Ceiling Fan Appliance Building Tower Architecture and Clock Tower
    NASA
    04

    1971-Mariner-8---9

    X 1971: Mariner 8 Flyby mission fails on launch when the engine and spacecraft separate. 1971: Mariner 9 Reaches Mars orbit successfully and is the first craft to orbit another planet.
  • Image may contain Astronomy Universe Space Outer Space Animal Invertebrate Arachnid and Spider
    NASA
    05

    1992-mars-observer

    X 1993: Mars Observer Contact is lost with the orbiter three days before it reaches the planet.
  • Image may contain Wheel and Machine
    NASA
    06

    1996-Sojourner-on-Mars-PIA01122

    1996: Pathfinder Brings the six-wheeled rover Sojourner to Mars.
  • Image may contain Universe Moon Space Night Astronomy Outdoors Outer Space and Nature
    NASA
    07

    1996-mars-global-surveyor

    1998: Mars Global Surveyor Successfully orbits the planet to study its topography and surface composition.
  • Image may contain Human Person Animal Bird Universe Space Astronomy and Outer Space
    NASA
    08

    1999-mars-polar-lander-mpl

    X 1999: Mars Polar Lander Loses communication upon atmospheric entry and hasn’t been heard from since.
  • Image may contain Helmet Clothing and Apparel
    NASA
    09

    1999-ds2-probe

    X 1999: Deep Space 2 Two probes attempt to penetrate the surface and sample Martian soil; contact is lost.
  • X 1999 Mars Climate Orbiter Disappears into the upper Martian atmosphere when it misses its targetaltitude orbit.
    NASA
    10

    Mars-Climate-Orbiter-2

    X 1999: Mars Climate Orbiter Disappears into the upper Martian atmosphere when it misses its target-altitude orbit.
  • Image may contain Sphere Universe Space Astronomy and Outer Space
    NASA
    11

    2001-mars-odyssey--copy

    2001: Mars Odyssey Orbiter reaches Mars safely and acts as a communications relay for the rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
  • Image may contain Sphere Transportation Vehicle Aircraft and Helicopter
    NASA
    12

    2003-Spirit-exploration-rover

    2003: Spirit Mission: Study the atmosphere; characterize rocks and soil as well as look for signs of water.
  • Image may contain Wheel Machine Transportation and Vehicle
    NASA
    13

    2003-Mars-Opportunity

    2003: Opportunity Mission: same as Spirit’s.
  • Image may contain Astronomy Universe Space Outer Space Transportation Vehicle Aircraft and Helicopter
    NASA
    14

    2005-mars-reconnaissance-orbiter-PIA04918

    2005: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Studies the Martian climate and surveys sites where future missions could land.
  • Image may contain Sphere Airfield and Airport
    NASA
    15

    2007-phoenix

    2007: Phoenix Lander Goes to study water history and habitability at the northern latitudes of Mars.
  • Image may contain Wheel Machine Nature Outdoors Sand and Soil
    NASA
    16

    2011-curiosity-rover

    2011: Curiosity The largest rover yet sent to the Red Planet successfully launches. It’s still going!
  • Image may contain Lighting Transportation Vehicle Helicopter Aircraft Universe Space Astronomy and Outer Space
    NASA
    17

    2013-maven-mars-limb

    2013: Maven Orbiter Goes to study the atmosphere.
  • Image may contain Machine Bird Animal Vehicle Transportation Helicopter and Aircraft
    NASA/JPL/Caltech
    18

    2020-mars20150122-16

    2020: NASA The agency plans to send a successor to Curiosity.
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    Inspiration Mars
    19

    Artist's rendering of a manned flyby of Mars in 2021. Inspiration Mars

    2021: Inspiration Mars Private venture plans to slingshot around Mars and Venus to demonstrate its technology.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Rocket Missile and Launch
    SpaceX
    20

    2026-SpaceX-CRS-1-launch-cropped

  • Image may contain Universe Space Night Astronomy Outdoors Outer Space Nature Moon and Planet
    NASA
    21

    2030-mars-globe-valles-marineris-enhanced-full

    2030: NASA Has vague plans to send humans to Mars.
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