Everything we hope to learn from 3 historic missions to Mars
NASA s Perseverance rover is planned to land on the red planet in February.
Image: bob al-greene / mashable
UPDATE: Feb. 10, 2021, 11:43 a.m. EST
The UAE s on Feb. 10, and will make its attempt to reach the surface in May.
With missions from three nations expected to reach the Red Planet this month, 2021 might be the most illuminating year in the history of Mars research.
Earthlings have been sending probes and robots to and near Mars since the 1960s, and dozens have successfully captured images and data about the planet, gradually revealing its desert mysteries. We ve learned a bit about its geology and atmosphere, found ice, and uncovered compelling evidence that Mars was once home to blue oceans.Â