History of Mars exploration

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Marsnik 1 (1960)Mars 1 (1962)Mariner 4 (1964)Mars from flybyZond 2 (1964)Mars 1969AMariner 6 (1969)Mariners 8 and 9 (1971)Mars 2 (1971)Mars 5 (1973)Mars 6 (1973)Viking 1 (1975)On the groundA rocky expanseMars Global Surveyor (1996)Mars Pathfinder (1996)SojournerMartian sunsetMars Polar Lander (1999)2001 Mars OdysseyNoctis VistaMars Express/Beagle 2 (2003)Spirit (2003)Opportunity (2003)Endurance craterMars Reconnaissance Orbiter (2005)Dust stormPhoenix Mars Lander (2007)Fobos-Grunt (2011)Curiosity (2011)Curiosity (2011)Side-by-side comparison

The Soviet Union's first planetary probe, Marsnik I, did not make it to its namesake planet, attaining an altitude of only about 75 miles before falling back to Earth.

Marsnik 1 (1960)

( NSSDC / NASA )

The Soviet Union's first planetary probe, Marsnik I, did not make it to its namesake planet, attaining an altitude of only about 75 miles before falling back to Earth.

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As an editor and reporter, Michael Muskal has covered local, national, economic and foreign issues at three newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times. @latimesmuskal

Matt Pearce, a University of Missouri graduate, has previously written for the Kansas City Star, the Los Angeles Review of Books, The New Inquiry and The Pitch. @mattdpearce