Exploratour: Life on Mars?
The Search for Life on Mars
The Viking program of the 1970's was the first to return data that there is currently no evidence of life on Mars.As part of a more thorough search, the Mars Surveyor Program was put in place. The Mars Surveyor Program is a long-term program of the exploration of Mars, with the focus to bring back to Earth a sample of the Martian terrain in 2005. This program will help scientists understand the complete environment of Mars.
Five spacecraft in all were to be sent to Mars between 1996 and 2005. Those spacecraft were to include the Mars Global Surveyor, and the Mars Climate Orbiter and Polar Lander. Unfortunately, the Mars Climate Orbiter and Polar Lander have been lost. Scientists still hope that after all the information is gathered, they might know more about the evolution of Mars and its potential to harbor life.