Mars Facts
Everything you need to know about the Red Planet — in bite-sized form.
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Mars Once Had a Global Magnetic Field
Remnant magnetic signatures in ancient rocks indicate Mars once had a global magnetic field similar to Earth's. It ceased about 4 billion years ago when the planet's core cooled, after which the solar wind gradually stripped away much of the atmosphere.
Source: NASA Mars Global Surveyor
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Ingenuity Made First Powered Flight on Another Planet
On April 19, 2021, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter hovered for 39 seconds on Mars — the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. It carried fabric from the Wright Brothers' original Flyer.
Source: NASA Ingenuity