History of the Mars Institute | Mars Institute - To further the scientific study, exploration, and public understanding of Mars

History of the Mars Institute

A new century of scientific knowledge and exploration of Mars has begun, with the current planning and prospect of many new missions to be launched to the Red Planet. The Mars Institute was created to respond to this opportunity and, out of a need strongly felt by its initiators, to establish an independent nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to focus on advancing the scientific study and exploration of Mars, with a central commitment to conducting high quality peer-reviewed research, and on sharing knowledge and experiences of Mars exploration with students and the general public worldwide. The Mars Institute strives to provide leadership as an international non-governmental organization for the peaceful advancement of these goals.

The Mars Institute was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation on September 18, 2002 in the State of California. The Mars Institute was also incorporated as a federal non-profit corporation in Canada on November, 15, 2002.

The creation of the Mars Institute was the culmination of a year's discussion between the co-founders, Marc Boucher, Charles Cockell, Pascal Lee, Stephen Braham and others.

The stated purpose of the Mars Institute is to further the scientific study, exploration, and public understanding of Mars. The Institute:

develops, implements and supports high quality peer-reviewed scientific research about the planet Mars, its present nature, and its climatic, geologic and possibly biologic evolution, including through investigations of similarities and differences between the Earth, Mars and other planets;
analyzes, develops and implement concepts, technologies and strategies for the exploration of Mars, by robotic systems and humans;
informs the public on the results, progress, and benefits to humankind of Mars exploration through the development and implementation of educational and public outreach activities.