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ABOUT THE MER MISSION


NASA/JPL
All the official information from the folks who know: Watch animations of the landing, find out where the rovers are now, and learn about the engineering behind the rover.
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html

Athena
The principal investigator for this mission has a Web site hosted by Cornell University. This site has a great mission overview, a must-read weekly update of the mission's progress, animations of the launches, and so much more.
http://athena.cornell.edu/

MarsQuest Online
You can launch a spacecraft to Mars, explore its volcanoes and canyons, and solve mysteries about the search for life.
http://www.marsquestonline.org/

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MARS INFORMATION

Europe Explores Mars
Follow the progress of Europe's first mission via the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express probe.
http://mars.esa.int

Hubble's Mars
Check out these stunning pictures of Mars taken by
the Hubble Space Telescope.
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/releases/2003/22/image/

Kid's Cosmos
Take a virtual field trip to Mars and learn about the
geography of the fourth planet.
http://www.kidscosmos.org/field-trip-to-mars-kids.html

The Center for Mars Exploration
A Web page outlining NASA's strategy for Mars exploration, including video clips from past missions.
http://cmex-www.arc.nasa.gov/CMEX/index.html

Mars in Popular Culture
Why does the red planet hold such a powerful place in our imagination? Why has Mars been the subject of endless science fiction, fantasy, and conjecture? As one scientist put it, "You never hear about Saturnians." A NASA scientist has put together a fascinating collection of popular culture references on this site.
http://humbabe.arc.nasa.gov/mgcm/fun/pop.html

Make a Mars globe
Print and cut out these pages and make a mars globe.
http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Gallery/MapsAndGlobes/mars.html

Maps of Mars
Some interesting projections and scans of Martian geography.
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/science/treiman/greatdesert/workshop/marsmaps1/

Terraforming Mars
What would it take for humans to live on Mars? This article explores the possible use of greenhouse gases to create a warm, breathable environment on the red planet. Includes links to a NASA conference on Martian habitability.
http://www.firstscience.com/site/articles/terraform.asp

How Terraforming Mars Will Work
A basic Web site on terraforming Mars.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/terraforming.htm

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COLONIZING MARS

Mars Habitat
Will Earthlings ever try to inhabit Mars? What would a human colony look like? This site imagines a Mars where humans are landing at a rate of 2,000 a week. Take a look at what some people think is the fate of Mars and then imagine one of your own.
http://www.marsproject.com/index.htm

Red Colony
Current worldwide missions to Mars, as well as some imaginative musings on colonizing Mars.
http://www.redcolony.com

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ROBOTICS

Berkeley's Polypedal Institute
The next rovers to visit Mars will probably have legs!
Check out the newest rover locomotion designs.
http://polypedal.berkeley.edu/Bioinspire/Robotics.html

Robotic Frogs for Mars Exploration
The next generation of Mars rovers may not roll over the surface, they may hop! This article explores some new models for robotic motion.
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/robofrogs_000914.html

Robots
What is a robot? Why would robots make good space explorers? How do robotic arms work? This site is packed full of clearly explained robot basics.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm

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GENERAL SITES ABOUT SPACE FLIGHT

Spaceflight Now

Headline news about all the latest stories in space flight.
http://spaceflightnow.com/

Solar Cells
The MERs will operate entirely on solar power, relying on energy from the sun collected during the Martian day, to conduct their mission. How do these cells turn sunlight into electricity? Find out here.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm

Batteries

The MERs will have to store power from their solar panels to get them through the freezing Martian nights, using some of the most advanced rechargeable batteries ever made. Get the basics on how batteries work at this useful site.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm

Malin Space Science Systems
A neat site from one of the builders of imaging instruments for spacecraft. Lots of images of Martian geographic features, including what might be evidence of ancient waterways.
http://www.msss.com/

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