The Mars Post

Over 15,000 mounds are scattered across Chryse Planitia in Mars’ lowlands – but until recently, no one knew how they got there. Scientists from the Natural History Museum have now explored their history, revealing a time when water flowed across the surface of Mars. Tracing the history of Martian water Large parts of...

Discover the wonders of the Red Planet with Mars: A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring the Red Planet (2024) by Brendan Owens. This accessible guide offers a full look at Mars, blending history, science, and practical advice for space enthusiasts. A historical perspective on Mars exploration The book begins with the chapter History of...

The European Space Agency (ESA) is rethinking how we explore Mars. The LightShip program is designed to make Mars missions more affordable and accessible by focusing on small, low-cost spacecraft. It introduces new ways to overcome the usual challenges of interplanetary travel. What is LightShip? LightShip is an interplanetary transport system, like a...

President Donald Trump’s second inaugural address included a bold declaration of intent: to send American astronauts to Mars. "We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars," he said, highlighting plans to plant the American flag on the Red Planet. Seated behind the president, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, a known Trump ally, responded...

Researchers from the California Institute of Technology have uncovered two sets of ancient wave ripples on Mars, preserved in the planet's rocky surface. These ripples, small undulations in sandy lakebeds formed by the movement of water, are a clear indication of long-gone bodies of liquid water on the Martian surface. Their discovery suggests...

Mars presents a captivating geological puzzle, appearing either moon-like or Earth-like, depending on the perspective. Research from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has played a crucial role in unraveling this mystery by analyzing Martian meteorites and studying data from spacecraft. These investigations aim to clarify how Mars evolved over billions of years. Clues...

Nicolas Steiner’s Above and Below (2015) is a visually striking documentary that explores the lives of individuals living in extreme environments on Earth. Among its subjects is April, a woman participating in a Mars simulation in the remote Utah desert. Surrounded by rocky, alien-like terrain, April dedicates herself to simulating life on another...

To enhance the likelihood of successfully returning the first Martian rock and sediment samples to Earth, NASA announced a new strategy for its Mars Sample Return Program. This revised approach involves pursuing two distinct landing architectures simultaneously, promoting competition, fostering innovation, and potentially reducing costs and timelines. NASA plans to select a single...

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has outlined a bold vision for governance on Mars, advocating for direct democracy as the political framework for humanity's future on the Red Planet. Speaking on his social media platform, X, Musk responded to questions about Martian governance by recommending direct democracy, where settlers would vote directly on...

In a groundbreaking study, scientists at the University of Houston have transformed our understanding of Mars’ climate and weather while offering key insights into Earth’s atmospheric processes. Mars Radiant Energy Budget The research team, led by Larry Guan, a graduate student in the Department of Physics at UH’s College of Natural Sciences and...