Here’s How Arizona Universities Help NASA Explore Mars

We haven't yet planted human feet on the surface of Mars, but virtual explorers from Arizona have played a crucial role in making our exploration of the Red Planet possible.

Both Arizona State University (ASU) and the University of Arizona (UA) have helped us learn more about our closest planetary neighbor than we ever have before.

The Connection Between ASU and Mars Rocks

Arizona State University’s Mars Space Flight Facility could easily be considered the red planet’s geology lab.

ASU developed the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), which hitched a ride on NASA’s Mars Odyssey in 2001.

For the non-space nerds out there (like me), THEMIS maps Mars’ surface temperature and its mineral composition. The technology essentially gave Mars a full-body scan. The scientists at ASU are still decoding the data to uncover clues about Mars’ volcanic history and searching for signs of water.

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How Did UA Become One of NASA’s Favorite Desert Nerds?

Not to be left out, the University of Arizona has been working on Mars, as well. Remotely, of course,

UA’s Lunar and Planetary Lab helped map the moon for the historic Apollo missions in the 1960s and early '70s. The UA's Mars research really soared with the Phoenix Mars Lander in 2008.

UA was the first public university to lead a NASA planetary mission. They studied Martian soil and ice to uncover clues about the planet's climate. They also contributed to the HiRISE camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which captured high-resolution images of the planet's surface.

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Celebrating Arizona's Contributions to Space Exploration

These days, we're sending unmanned craft to explore Mars, but who knows? Perhaps a future graduate from one of Arizona's universities will be the first person to set foot on the Red Planet.

"It's one small step for HUman(s). One giant leap for Arizona." Or something like that.