Mars Archives

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Sample Return, Status Report

The Antarctic Dry Valley Lakes: Relevance To Mars

by Keith CowingMarch 1, 1989June 13, 2026

The similarity of the early environments of Mars and Earth, and the biological evolution which occurred on early Earth, motivates exobiologists to seriously consider the possibility of an early Martian […]

The Viking 1 Lander sampling arm created a number of deep trenches as part of the surface composition and biology experiments on Mars. The digging tool on the sampling arm (at lower center) could scoop up samples of material and deposit them into the appropriate experiment. Some holes were dug deeper to study soil which was not affected by solar radiation and weathering. The trenches in this ESE looking image are in the "Sandy Flats" area of the landing site at Chryse Planitia. The boom holding the meteorology sensors is at left. -- NASA

Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs

Viking 1 Examines Martian Soil

by Keith CowingFebruary 10, 1977December 23, 2023

Operations have begun at the Viking landing site to dig foot-deep trench in the Martian soil and distribute samples to three instruments.

Press Release

Second Viking Oven May Have Failed

by Keith CowingJanuary 27, 1976June 27, 2026

One of three small ovens in an experiment aboard the Viking 1 spacecraft may not be working, similar to condition on Viking 2 reported last week. Both Vikings are enroute […]

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors

Viking 2 Oven Has Failed

by Keith CowingJanuary 23, 1976December 23, 2023

One of three small ovens on an experiment aboard NASA’s Viking 2 Lander apparently did not operate during recent checkout tests of the instrument.

Press Release

Mariner 9 Orbital Study of Mars

by Keith CowingOctober 30, 1971June 27, 2026

Will the “wave of darkening” soon go the way of Martian canals during the Mariner 9 orbital study of the red planet?

Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release

Mariner 9 Hopes to Answer Long Awaited Questions

by Keith CowingOctober 17, 1971December 23, 2023

Is Mars totally bleak and inhospitable to life? Or could water still be found on the planet? What role do dust storms play in forming Martian clouds?

Mariner 7, following Mariner 6's flyby on July 31, has its closest approach at a distance of 3,524 kilometers (2,190 miles) on August 5, 1969 -- NASA

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release

Prospects For Martian Life

by Keith CowingFebruary 24, 1970December 15, 2023

If there is life on Mars, it may be a microbial form no more complex than blue-green algae, according to Dr. Roy E. Cameron, head of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s […]

Astrobiology (general), Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, NASA Astrobiology Program, Origin & Evolution of Life, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Status Report

Biology And The Exploration Of Mars

by Keith CowingMay 25, 1966June 13, 2026

PREFACE Until recent years the origin of life and its possible occurrence elsewhere in the universe have been matters for speculation only. The rapid growth of molecular biology since 1940 […]