Making a soft landing while avoiding obstacles on Mars is no easy feat.

China successfully tests Mars lander in giant drop test

Robots & Machines

The China Mars lander just successfully completed its first public test: a spectacular drop from 230 feet onto a mountainous landscape north of Beijing.

China Successfully Tests Mars Lander in Giant Drop Test

Both China and the U.S. are planning to launch uncrewed missions to the Red Planet next year.

They don't know why levels are spiking and dropping.

"Mind boggling" behavior of oxygen on Mars has NASA stumped

Chem Tales

The levels of oxygen on Mars increase and decrease over the year in a way that just doesn't make sense to scientists, a new paper reveals.

“Mind Boggling” Behavior of Oxygen on Mars Has NASA Stumped

Every year, oxygen levels on Mars spike. Scientists are baffled.

"It will take about 20 years to transfer a million tons to Mars Base Alpha, which is hopefully enough to make it sustainable."

Elon Musk: I can build a Martian city with 1,000 Starships

Martian Base Alpha

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk elaborated on his extremely ambitious plans to establish a sustainable settlement on Mars by sending 1,000 Starship rockets.

Elon Musk: I Can Build a Martian City With 1,000 Starships

It will take 20 years to send 100 million tons of cargo to the Red Planet.

If we want to reach Mars, we may have to upgrade our DNA.

This scientist wants to gene-hack hybrid humans to survive Mars

Becoming Inhuman

Geneticist Chris Mason has an unusual idea for helping future astronauts survive the trip to Mars: gene-hack them with tardigrade DNA that blocks radiation.

This Scientist Wants to Gene-Hack Hybrid Humans to Survive Mars

He wants to splice tardigrade DNA into humans so they can survive Mars.

According to the statement, it marks "the first time that China's space industry has publicly unveiled a plan for manned missions to the red planet."

China unveils plan to send astronauts to Mars

Manned Mars

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced the country's first ever plans to send astronauts to the surface of Mars.

China Unveils Plan to Send Astronauts to Mars

"Sending astronauts there will give man better opportunities to look for traces of life on Mars."

"We were thrilled when we saw the first tomatoes ever grown on Mars soil simulant turning red."

New research: You could grow crops in Martian soil

Eat Local

New research found that the soil on Mars and the Moon could feasibly be used to grow plants, suggesting future space colonists may be able to farm crops.

New Research: You Could Grow Crops in Martian Soil

This is good news for off-world colonies.

In 1976, NASA sent two separate Viking orbiter and lander pairs to the Red Planet to conduct experiments on its surface and return some snapshots.

Former NASA scientist "convinced" we already found life on Mars

Contentious Results

Former NASA scientist Gilbert Levin argues we already discovered we're not alone in the universe during NASA's Viking mission to find life on Mars in 1976.

Former NASA Scientist “Convinced” We Already Found Life on Mars

Is this 1976 experiment on the surface of Mars proof that alien life exists?

The team envisions the crater to once have resembled the Altiplanos, the high altitude regions of South America that are dotted with briny lakes and streams.

NASA: Rover may have found remnants of ancient Martian oasis

Mars Mystery

Based on rover findings, NASA scientists envision Mars' Gale Crater to once have resembled the Altiplanos, the high altitude regions of South America.

NASA: Rover May Have Found Remnants of Ancient Martian Oasis

Scientists say this Martian crater was once dotted with streams and salty pools.

"Regardless of the thrill and feelings of hope this kind of adventure brings, just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we necessarily should, now or in the future."

Astrobiologist: Elon Musk's Starship Is a "Moral Catastrophe"

Cross-Contamination

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's plans to colonize Mars are more of a "moral catastrophe" than a noble aspiration, says astrobiologist Samantha Rolfe.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship & Mars Plans Are A "Catastrophe” | Futurism

Musk doesn't seem concerned about cross-planetary contamination.

Astrobiologist: Elon Musk’s Starship Is a “Moral Catastrophe”

Listen to NASA's InSight at Work on Mars

"It's been exciting, especially in the beginning, hearing the first vibrations from the lander."

NASA Mars lander detects creepy "dinks and donks" sounds

Ear to the Ground

NASA's Mars InSight lander just detected some "peculiar sounds" thanks to its onboard seismometer that's capable of picking up on the tiniest of vibrations.

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