Using internet resources, describe how advances in imaging and wireless communication for space exploration have led to changes in imaging devices and communication on Earth. Informational Text: Mars is the most thoroughly studied planet in the solar system. Since the 1960s, 40 space probes have been launched in its direction. In 1965, The Mariner 4 probe sent back the first images of the desert-like surface of the Red Planet. A few years later, Mariner 9 observed impressive geological formations such as Olympus Mans, which is 27 kilometers in altitude. Traces of erosion indicate that there was once liquid water on Mars.

In 1976, The Viking 1 and Viking 2 probes landed on Mars. For six years they transmitted fascinating panoramic views of the red and rocky soil of Mars back to Earth. Twenty years passed before a third probe landed on Mars. In 1997, the Pathfinder probe landed a miniature vehicle named Sojourner on the planet. The probes operated for three months and sent back large amounts of data on the Martian environment. At the same time, the Mars global surveyor probe was placed in orbit to take an overall portrait of the planet. It supplied hundreds of thousands of bits of information, especially on climatic variations.

In 2001, the Mars Odyssey probe made an important discovery. Its analysis suggested the presence of traces of underground water. The Mars express probe, placed in orbit in 2004, detected the presence of frozen water at the Martian poles. At the same time, the two all–terrain vehicles, Spirit and Opportunity, were landed on Mars. Capable of traveling hundreds of meters, they are transmitting much information on the Martian soil.