Mars Gear
Books, survival equipment, science gear, and space apparel for Mars enthusiasts.
The best way to understand Mars is to go deep — and that means turning to the books, films, and reference works that have defined how we think about the Red Planet. The selection here gathers the essential Mars canon: the hard science-fiction novels that took colonization seriously, the films that captured the public imagination, and the nonfiction that grounds the dream in real engineering and planetary science.
Whether you're looking for Kim Stanley Robinson's landmark trilogy, the survival science behind The Martian, or accessible guides to Mars geology and human spaceflight, these are the works we return to and recommend. Each pick connects back to the topics explored across this site — from the science of the planet to the roadmap for settling it. As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases, which helps keep the guide free.
Mars Gear & Books
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield
Practical wisdom for extreme environments and high-stakes performance.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
A brisk brilliant introduction to modern astrophysics.
Endurance by Scott Kelly
A year aboard the ISS the most detailed account of long-duration spaceflight ever written.
How to Make a Spaceship by Julian Guthrie
The story of the private space race and the visionaries driving Mars ambitions.
Interplanetary Robots by Rod Pyle
The complete story of robotic Mars exploration from Mariner 4 to Perseverance.
Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
A hilarious and deeply researched look at long-duration spaceflight.
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
The gold standard of hard Mars science fiction.
The Case for Mars by Robert Zubrin
Robert Zubrin's landmark engineering plan for a human Mars mission.
The Martian by Andy Weir
The most scientifically accurate Mars novel ever written.
The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
The defining account of the early astronaut program and what it takes to push human limits.
As an Amazon Associate, MissionToMars.cc earns from qualifying purchases.