The Mars Observer spacecraft was to be the first U.S. spacecraft to study Mars since the Viking missions 18 years ago. The Mars Observer spacecraft fell silent just 3 days prior to entering orbit around Mars.
Materials here reveal facts, missions, and educational resources about Mars.
Research - This area contains information regarding primitive life research of the planet Mars. Learn how a NASA-funded team found the first organic molecules thought to be of Martian origin. Viking - Viking was designed to orbit Mars and to land and operate on the planet's surface. Pathfinder deployed a small rover called Sojourner to explore the Martian landscape. The 1970's Viking mission did not return a Mars rock sample to Earth.