Journey of 50 years of exploring Mars

Over the past 50 years, some studies of the journey to explore Mars have yielded unexpected results but there are still things that remain unknown.

Mars is the most Earth-like planet in the solar system. Before the ExoMars, there were many spacecraft, satellites, and robots that were brought to Mars to search for life on this planet.

1964 - First time approaching Mars

After a lot of failed attempts, on November 28, 1964 marked a memorable milestone for all humanity when NASA's Mariner 4 ship the first pictures of the Martian surface to Earth.

1971 - Going into orbit

In 1971, NASA's Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to enter orbit Mars.

On March 14, 2016, the ExoMars probe was launched into space.

1976 - Meeting down on Mars

NASA's Viking 1 and 2 ships landed and successfully operated on the Martian surface in 1976. Water clues on Mars gradually revealed.

1996 - Bringing robots to the surface of Mars

NASA's Mars Pathfinder spacecraft brings an amphibious and robotic device called Sojourner to the surface of Mars. Data sent include wind, pressure and other conditions on Mars.

2004 - Found ice water in Mars

The European Space Agency's Mars Express (ESA) satellite found ice form at the poles of Mars in 2004. In addition, satellites also find traces of methane in the star's atmosphere. Fire, showing the potential of microbial survival on this planet.

2012 - New self-propelled robot is put on Mars

The largest self-propelled robot of humans - Curiosity - successfully landed on Mars, providing scientists with far more accurate information than past robots.

2015 - Found liquid water

In September 2015, NASA officially announced the discovery of liquid water on the surface of Mars. This is a turning point in the exploration of Mars of humans, opening hope to find life in the Red Planet.

2016 - Launch the ExoMars probe

On March 14, the ExoMars probe was launched into space. This is the first space project that Russia and Europe cooperate closely and deeply.

In 2018, the Phase 2 ExoMars project will be implemented with the aim of finding the biological traces of life on Mars in the past or present.