REMOTE EXPLORATION OF MARS

SEVERAL different types of spacecraft have been sent to the Red Planet over the years. These include orbiters which orbit Mars, taking pictures as they zoom around the planet. Other spacecraft, called landers, provide photos and information from their landing spots on the surface of Mars. The most recent have been rovers which specialise in moving around. They land on the surface of Mars and drive around to different spots. Their aim is to help scientists in their quest to understand what different parts of the planet are made of. The next major rover project is the 2020 Mars rover.