Mars is
difficult to explore. Throughout the space age, humans have
sent 41 spacecraft to Mars. Only about one out of three have
survived! Currently, two spacecraft are in orbit around Mars.
The Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey spacecraft are returning
volumes of data. On December 24th, 2003 Europe's Mars
Express orbiter and Beagle 2 lander reached Mars. Mars Express
was successfully placed in orbit, however the fate of Beagle
2 is unknown. Scientists have not been able to make contact
with the lander. In January, 2004 NASA's twin rovers
land. This is definitely an exciting time for Mars exploration! |
