The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has just begun its science mission, and one of the first targets is Victoria Crater, where the rover Opportunity has just arrived after nearly 1000 sols on Mars.

The photos, using the largest interplanetary telescope ever lofted, are truly amazing.

See comments for links to original imagery. picked by Fanatic 3 years ago

In the next few decades NASA plans to send a man (or several) to Mars. While they're still not sure of price (from $20bn to $450bn), it will take seven months to arrive in a ship powered by "an advanced cryogenic fuel propulsion system". picked by TheStep 2 years ago

Nasa is to launch a spacecraft on a nine-month journey to Mars, where it will dig below the surface for clues to the existence of past or present life. picked by pjanaway 2 years ago

What it would be like to fly over Mars? Combining terrain data from the orbiting Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft with information about the robotic Spirit rover currently rolling across Mars has resulted in a digital movie that shows what a flight over the Columbia Hills might look like. picked by sandossu 2 years ago

The most productive and longest-lived mission to Mars has likely ended, NASA says. For nearly ten years, the orbiter mapped the surface of Mars, and it played a big role in selecting the landing sites for the successful Mars Rover missions. A problem with a solar panel joint led to its demise. picked by Fanatic 3 years ago

NASA has finally stated that the Mars Global Surveyor was dead due to a faulty solar panel. picked by groggie 3 years ago

NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover, scheduled for launch in 2011, has a new name, thanks to a sixth-grade student from Kansas. Twelve-year-old Clara Ma* from the Sunflower Elementary school in Lenexa submitted the winning entry, "Curiosity."

*Her essay is quite nice. picked by bingo 6 months ago

Science fiction may soon become science fact. Astronomers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have recently concluded that the upcoming planet-finding mission, SIM PlanetQuest, would be able to detect an Earth-like planet around the star 40 Eridani, a planet familiar to "Star Trek" fans as "Vulcan." picked by AutumnLotus 3 years ago

Evidence suggests flowing water formed the rivers and gullies on the Mars surface, even though surface temperatures were below freezing. Dissolved minerals in liquid water may be the reason. picked by AutumnLotus 6 months ago

NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected snow falling from Martian clouds. Spacecraft soil experiments also have provided evidence of past interaction between minerals and liquid water, processes that occur on Earth. Mars lander makes snow angels. picked by Bornbad 1 year ago

A strange door-like structure at the base of the mountain formation from a NASA image of Mars is causing a stir. picked by mitzuzake 2 years ago

NASA will probably not build an outpost on the moon as originally planned. Hinted at is that the agency is open to putting more emphasis on human missions to destinations like Mars or a near-Earth asteroid. picked by bingo 7 months ago

Spirit and Opportunity, the NASA Mars Rovers, have discovered interesting features that suggest Mars could have supported life at one time, including 'rivers' of frozen carbon dioxide that flow uphill. picked by tundramonkey 2 years ago

Shifting sand dunes on ancient Mars once concealed a network of underground water spread across an area the size of Oklahoma, according to new findings from NASA's Mars rover Opportunity. picked by sharon22 6 months ago

How cool would it be to have your name on board the spacecraft that discovers the first known Earth-like planet beyond our solar system? Well, here's your chance. NASA today announced an opportunity for anyone to submit their name to be included on a DVD and rocketed into space as part of NASA's Kepler Mission, scheduled to launch in February 2009 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

NASA has launched the first spacecraft dedicated to exploring mysterious ice clouds that dot the edge of space in Earth's polar regions. picked by AutumnLotus 3 years ago

NASA scientists have discovered what might form some of the weirdest landscapes on Mars, winding channels carved into the Martian surface that scientists have dubbed "spiders," "lace" and "lizard skin." The unusual landscape features form in an area of Mars' south pole called cryptic terrain because it once defied explanation. More pictures picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago

The Phoenix Mars Lander ended its mission last November, but scientists are still pondering the data. One intriguing discovery was a nightly cycle in which water vapor in the atmosphere collapsed into the Martian soil. One researcher thinks this may hint of dew-like films that could have supported life in a previous Martian climate. picked by AutumnLotus 9 months ago

NASA has announced a "significant find on Mars": That water may still be flowing on our red neighbour. Source data from the science team is here. picked by BrightonCub 3 years ago

Days before its tenth anniversary in Mars orbit, the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft ran into problems. They got a weak signal three days later, and nothing since. Plans are to take a photograph of it with another Mars Orbiter today or tomorrow. picked by Fanatic 3 years ago