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1971 Mariner 9
It took high-quality images of Mars surface including gigantic volcanoes and a grand canyon stretching 4800 km along with its surface it also showed evidence of riverbeds in the landscape. It photo mapped 100% of the surface. -
1975 Viking 1 & 2
Took photos of Mars surface. Discovered chemical activity in the soil but no evidence of living organisms. Determined weather patterns. The surface has iron-rich clay that released oxygen when it is wet. -
Mars Pathfinder
DIscovered rounded pebbles and cobbles suggesting there is running water there at some point. They found out that Mars metallic core is greater than 1300 km but less than 2000 km. Ice clouds were seen in the lower atmosphere. Dust devils were seen and measured. They also discovered that airborne dust is magnetic. -
Mars exploration rover pair “Spirit” & “Opportunity”
Opportunity discovered mineral deposits that suggested Mars had a wet history. It took many photos of the terrain which helped identify geological targets. Determined the mineralogical and chemical makeup of rocks and soil. Discovered evidence of a wet past that may have supported microbial life. Rocks that indicate Mars was characterized by impacts, explosive volcanism and subsurface water. -
Curiosity Rover
Measured the chemical make up of rocks and soil to determine their history and past interaction with water. It found evidence of past habitable environments. Found rounded pebbles mixed with hardened sand which showed there was streamflow there at some point in the past. Also determined that some of Mars atmosphere had been lost. -
Maven
Measured the atmosphere to understand the climate changes on Mars. Provided information on how and how fast atmospheric gases are being lost. -
Mars 2020 Perserverance Rover
The Mars perseverance rover will be looking for any signs on mars of microbial life. It will set aside rocks and soil on Mars that future missions may return to earth. They are hoping to produce oxygen from the atmosphere and identify resources and characterise weather, dust and other environmental conditions. -
2026 Mars Sample Return
Rocks and soil from Mars which will be returned to earth and studied in laboratories that have better equipment than what could be transported to Mars
