Summary

Mars represents a rich destination for scientific discovery, and an important step in humanity’s exploration of deep space. In 2021 China became the third nation to land on the surface of the red planet. There are now six rovers, a lander and a helicopter scattered across the red planet, and we have barely scratched the surface. What have we found out so far from all the vehicles currently on the planet and what do we still hope to discover? Governments and corporations are investing more than ever in technology aimed at the exploration of Mars.

Griffith University’s Professor Paulo de Souza, Gilmour Space’s CEO Adam Gilmour, Dr Graziella Caprarelli, and Dr Eriita Jones join ABC’s Science Editor Jonathan Webb to discuss what has been found out so far, and what is still to be discovered. Is it all a mission of curiosity, or are there deeper implications for humanity?

What on Earth is so Good About Mars is presented with Griffith University.

FEATURING

Jonathan Webb

Moderator

Jonathan Webb

Dr Jonathan Webb is a science journalist and broadcaster, currently working as Science Editor for the ABC in Sydney. He hails from Adelaide but spent a decade of his early...

View Profile

Adam Gilmour

Speaker

Adam Gilmour

Adam Gilmour is the CEO and Co-founder of Gilmour Space, a venture-funded space technology and rocket company in Queensland that will be launching small satellites to orbit from 2022. A...

View Profile

Paulo de Souza

Speaker

Paulo de Souza

Professor Paulo de Souza completed his Ph.D. in Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) at Johannes Gutenberg Universität in Mainz, Germany and his undergraduate and M.Sc (Eng.) studies at UFES in...

View Profile

Graziella Caprarelli

Speaker

Graziella Caprarelli

Dr. Graziella Caprarelli's area of professional expertise is in the study of volcanic activity of Earth and Mars. One of the tools she is presently employing in the study of...

View Profile

View All Featured

SUPPORTING LEARNING RESOURCES

Lost in Space: Online Teacher PD

Within this ‘out of this world’ online workshop, you will explore how far we have come in travel and exploration, investigate the conditions on Earth, and determine the perfect planet and shelter design for Australia’s extra-terrestrial base.

Contains curriculum links to:
Years 5-8
Earth Space, Physics, Biology, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture

 

Lost in Space: Online Teacher PD

Lost in Space: Planet Posters

Students may use these planet posters to gather information about the planets in our solar system including temperature, distance from the Sun, diameter and atmosphere composition.

Contains curriculum links to:
Year 5
Earth Space

 

Lost in Space: Planet Posters

Modelling the Solar System

In this activity, students use fractions to create scaled model planets.

Contains curriculum links to:
Year 5
Earth Space

 

Modelling the Solar System