Throughout NASA small groups of researchers are bringing together an increasing range of new ideas that would be fundamental to any manned missions to the Red planet that has enchanted humans for thousands of years.

Known the world over by various local names, Mars is looming ever closer for human exploration and eventual colonization.

After several years of intensive research using a new generation of low cost explorers in orbit and on dry land, excitement is again building as the primary mapping phase for Mars Global Surveyor begins.

Throughout both the space science and technology fields scientists are rubbing their hands with glee as a new world begins to be opened up in virtually real time.

Later this year to more robot explorers will arrive at Mars; the Mars Polar Lander that will attempt a landing near the Martian south polar cap, and Mars Orbitor which will pick up where Surveyor leaves off.

With additional instruments for new and expanded analysis, Mars Orbitor will only increase interest in Martian resources and the desire to send humans for that personal touch that is the heart of exploration.

In an excellent overview article Dr. Peter Curreri, a materials scientist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center provides readers with some of the key issues facing the first human explorers of Mars survive so they may thrive.