Missions to Mars

SCIENTISTS have long been interested in finding out more about the planet Mars. In July 1965 the first spacecraft to Mars, Mariner 4, belonging to the America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), successfully flew past Mars. In November 1971, Mariner 9 reached Mars’ orbit. Nasa’s Viking 1 lander was the first US spacecraft to touch down on another planet – in June 1976.

The goal now is to send astronauts to explore Mars – also known as the Red Planet because of the colour of its soil. But before people can go to Mars, we need to know much more about the planet. Scientists