Missions in Space - Mars Odyssey

Mars Odyssey space probe

© NASA

Odyssey's primary science mission took place between February 2002 and August 2004, although it has continued to send information back in the years following.

For the first time, the chemical elements and minerals that make up the Martian surface will be mapped.

A special instrument called a gamma ray spectrometer will be able to measure the abundance and distribution of about 20 primary elements in the periodic table, including silicon, oxygen, iron, magnesium, potassium, aluminium, calcium, sulphur and carbon.

Odyssey will look for hydrogen, the lightest of the elements, which is most likely to be found associated with water molecules and water ice in the shallow subsurface of Mars.

Image of Martian surface take by the Oddesey Orbiter

© NASA

It will also check out the levels of radiation to see if there is any risk to future human explorers who may travel to Mars.

If water can be found on Mars, then it's possible that life also once existed on the planet or even exists today in some form or other.

Even the prospect of finding the smallest of life forms is very exciting. At present we only know that life has developed on one planet, the Earth. Finding life on Mars, would completely change the way we think about the possibilities for life throughout the Universe.

If you would like to know more about this mission click here .