NASA Missions to Mars: A Visual History of Our Quest to Explore the Red Planet

The large-format (12 × 12 inches) NASA Missions to Mars examines everything from the first tentative steps toward the fourth planet to the 2021 landing of rover Perseverance and beyond, featuring an engaging and complete history of Mars exploration, imagery from the NASA archives, and a glimpse of future plans for Mars exploration and habitation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Motorbooks International

Spanning a vast expanse of 12 x 12 inches, this captivating large-format book is a visual feast, adorned with stunning NASA photography that takes readers on a journey through the exploration of Mars. From the initial tentative steps taken towards the fourth planet to the remarkable 2021 landing of rover Perseverance and beyond, this comprehensive volume examines every facet of the Mars mission.

Space exploration has always been a pursuit of boundless possibilities, but it is perhaps the exploration of Mars that has ignited the most sense of wonder and anticipation. The journey to Mars began with Soviet and American flybys in the early 1960s, which were integral to the Space Race. Renowned space historian Piers Bizony takes readers on a captivating journey, tracing the complete coverage of the Viking 1 and 2 missions of 1975–1976. Bizony also delves into NASA's renowned rover program, providing an in-depth exploration of the development, technologies, mission histories, and remarkable achievements of the rovers Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity.

This awe-inspiring book is a treasure trove of information, offering an engaging and comprehensive history of Mars exploration. It showcases a vast array of imagery from the NASA archives, including breathtaking photos, cartography, artwork, concept drawings, and photography captured during testing phases. The book also provides a glimpse into future plans for Mars exploration and habitation, as well as coverage of orbiters sent to the red planet by space agencies from Russia, India, Japan, Europe, China, and the United Arab Emirates.

The fascination with Mars can be traced back to the early days of science fiction, where imaginative stories and visions of the red planet captured the hearts and minds of countless individuals. While the billions of dollars invested in these missions and the ingenious innovations that have enabled us to observe Mars from over 51 million miles away are truly remarkable, it is the insights and discoveries these missions, hardware, and scientists have brought about that are truly awe-inspiring.

NASA Missions to Mars is a testament to the unwavering dedication and ingenuity of space exploration pioneers. It serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities that lie beyond our planet and the incredible strides we have made in our understanding of the universe. This captivating book will captivate readers of all ages and backgrounds, inspiring a new generation of space enthusiasts to dream big and explore the wonders of the cosmos.

Weight: 1874g
Dimension: 311 x 310 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780760373149