Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months . This alignment, known as "opposition," minimizes the fuel needed for the roughly 300-million-mile trip.

Before any rocket launches, mission planners must define clear goals. Common objectives for Mars Exploration include:

Getting to Mars requires overcoming massive gravitational and orbital hurdles:

Mission To Mars -

Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months . This alignment, known as "opposition," minimizes the fuel needed for the roughly 300-million-mile trip.

Before any rocket launches, mission planners must define clear goals. Common objectives for Mars Exploration include: Mission to Mars

Getting to Mars requires overcoming massive gravitational and orbital hurdles: Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months