The European Space Agency (ESA) has chosen the GSI accelerator facility to assess radiation risks that astronauts will be exposed to on a Mars mission. GSI was selected because its accelerator is the only one in Europe able to create ion beams similar to those found in space. To determine possible health risks of manned space flights, scientists from all over Europe have been asked to investigate the effects of ion beams in human cells and organs.

Virgin teams up with Google to announce project Virgle that aims to establish a permanent human settlement on planet Mars.

Further exploration of Mars revealed new interesting details, giving NASA another evidence of life on this planet.

Scientists using a Mars-orbiting camera designed and operated at Arizona State University's Mars Space Flight Facility have discovered the first evidence for deposits of chloride minerals - salts - in numerous places on Mars. These deposits, say the scientists, show where water was once abundant and may also provide evidence for the existence of former Martian life.

In two days of frank discussions behind closed doors, a group of 50 engineers, former astronauts, scientists and former NASA executives concluded that the United States should explore Mars, but needs to rethink how and when to get there.

NASA released an image that was shot four years ago by Spirit Rover, which shows a man on Mars. Actually it's like a man sitting on Mars sand and waiting for something or looking for something. This has raised many questions such as "is there a life on Mars"?

Until now, Mars has generally been regarded as a desert world, where a visiting astronaut would be surprised to see clouds scudding across the orange sky. However, new results show that the arid planet possesses high-level clouds that are sufficiently dense to cast a shadow on the surface.

An asteroid could hit the planet Mars by the end of next month.

Planetary scientists have puzzled for years over an apparent contradiction on Mars. Abundant evidence points to an early warm, wet climate on the red planet, but there’s no sign of the widespread carbonate rocks, such as limestone, that should have formed in such a climate.

Inch by power-conserving inch, drivers on Earth have moved the Mars rover Spirit to a spot where it has its best chance at surviving a third Martian winter -- and where it will celebrate its fourth anniversary (in Earth years) since bouncing down on Mars for a projected 90-day mission in January 2004.

New software is helping NASA find safe places for the Spirit rover to ride out future Martian winters -- and also plan where Spirit and its companion rover, Opportunity, will explore in the future.

Scientists have gathered more evidence that suggests flowing water on Mars - by comparing images of the red planet to an otherworldly landscape on Earth.