Would You Like to Have a Bar of Mars?

One of the most easily accessible planets for exploration is our closest neighbor, Mars.

Mars was first explored by vessels flying by and taking pictures in passing, like the Mariner spacecraft of the 1960’s and 70’s. Small, robotic craft took pictures of the surface of Mars that could be compared to Earth’s own.

Next, came orbital spacecraft that could travel around Mars for longer periods of time, giving more detailed information. This orbital exploration is continuing into today as more sophisticated instruments are able to measure the atmosphere and analyze the surface of Mars.

In 1976, the first craft successfully landed on Mars, and in 1997 another craft called Pathfinder proved a very successful mission, landing on the surface of Mars and providing a huge amount of data on the rocks, soil, winds and weather. One of the main points of interest is a sign that Mars has had water in its liquid form in the past, indicated by images of flood and erosion. The presence of water on a planet also suggests the increased likelihood of life at some stage of its history.

By 2014, NASA hopes to launch internationally supported missions in which the first samples of Martian soil and rock can be returned to Earth for some "hands-on" investigation. With technology advancing all the time, who knows what will be possible?

Do some further research on Mars exploration (start at http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/) and create a timeline of Mars exploration, starting from the 1960’s. Add future exploration up to 2020 or further if you wish.

Activity: You are an environmentalist who is AGAINST plans to settle on Mars one day to Mars for two reasons:

1. You think it gives humans more of an excuse to destroy Earth.

2. You think is it wrong for us to explore a planet that is not "ours".

Write a letter to NASA explaining your point of view, with some real facts on environmental destruction to back up your opinion.

Draft a plan for your letter here: