MARS ROVERS . KEY011

Inspiring science fiction writers for decades, it was no surprise when the space age began in the late 1950s that Mars was an early target for exploration. The earliest attempts were probes designed to fly past and take pictures of the planet. In the 1970s, the first orbiters touched down and showed the reality of the planet. By the turn of the century, small roving vehicles had started exploring the surface and, within the last decade, larger vehicles powered by radioactive isotopes have been moving out further and further from their landing sites. Mars continues to be a source of fascination and future exploration. With over 180 images, this book tracks the creation and implementation of the Mars rovers and the exploration that has occured on the planet so far.