Augmented reality is a new approach to digital storytelling that we are exploring. Read about how to use it on your phone or tablet here.

Augmented reality is a new approach to digital storytelling that we are exploring. Read about how to use it on your phone or tablet here.

Missions to Mars

In July 1965, the Mariner 4 spacecraft flew past Mars and took the first close-up image of another planet, a series of numbers that impatient engineers colored by hand.

Ticker tape image of Mars, colored by NASA engineers. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Dan Goods

Since then, Earth has sent 18 spacecraft to try to land on Mars or its larger moon, Phobos. Five never made it, four crashed into Mars and two failed after landing. Only seven touched down softly and survived to take their own photographs.

The first photograph taken on the surface of Mars, by Viking 1 on July 20, 1976. NASA/JPL

NASA’s InSight spacecraft launched on May 5 and is scheduled to land on Mars on Nov. 26.