Life in the universe -- The origin of life on Earth -- From antiquity to the canals -- Viking -- The legacy of Viking -- Mars : a cosmic stepping stone -- A grand plan -- The search for life : a planetary perspective -- The search for life : water and the atmosphere -- The search for life : past and present -- A global strategy -- Global programs -- First steps : Pathfinder -- Mars reconnaissance -- Spirit and Opportunity -- A paradigm shift -- Next steps -- Because it's there -- Planetary protection -- A human mission to Mars -- Our life in the universe.
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"At the heart of this book is the idea that the Red Planet is critically important as an object of exploration because it is a stepping stone - certainly outward, to the universe around us, but even more importantly inward, into the deepest questions we can pose about our own creation and the very nature of life. Nolan points out in inspiring and provocative detail how the special qualities of our planetary neighbor provide us with unique opportunities and compelling rationales for exploration."--BOOK JACKET.