Exploration of Mars      The exploration of the red planet as
the exploration of the Moon was began as part of the
technological race between the United States and the former
Soviet Union. The competition between these countries has marked
the past of space exploration and the past of the Martian
exploration. The past exploration of Mars is marked by both
successes and failures on both sides of the exploration effort,
which have led to technological advancements in many fields
surrounding space exploration. Some of the fields which have
benefited from the exploration of Mars by both the Americans and
the Russians are rocket propulsion, planetary sciences, data
transmission systems.      In recent years Martian exploration
has been boosted by a renewed interest in the red planet and
expanding human presence in space. Current missions include
Pathfinder, a lander scheduled to arrive in Mars in July 1997
and Global Surveyor, that will map the Martian surface from
orbit extensively.      Other missions are planne