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Background
Mars was discovered in the 2nd millennium BC by Egyptian astronomers and was first studied by examining meteorites that had landed on Earth. With the development of space exploration, as of September 2014, there have been approximately 40 missions to Mars with only approximately 18 being deemed successful. The first successful NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) mission to fly past Mars occurred in 1965; initial observations noted that dark and light patches, which got lighter with age, seemed to cover the planet’s surface. Scientists have speculated as to the source of these patches, with no firm answers found. Some thought that they were evidence of the existence of liquid water on Mars, with others stating they were only optical illusions.
In 2005, evidence revealed the existence of water ice at the planet’s poles, and further evidence of water molecules was found in 2007, 2008 and 2013. Mars is still under investigation, with seven functioning spacecraft studying the planet (five in orbit and two on the surface). Future missions are planned in 2015.
