Breaking the Mars Curse: A Detailed Summary of "HISTORY This Week" Podcast Episode

Introduction

The "Breaking the Mars Curse" episode of the HISTORY This Week podcast delves into the tumultuous history of Mars exploration, highlighting the numerous failed missions that plagued both the United States and the Soviet Union. Hosted by Sally Helm and featuring insights from William Sheehan, author of Discovering Mars, the episode traces the evolution of humanity's quest to explore the Red Planet, culminating in the successful orbit of NASA's Mariner 9 and the eventual unraveling of the so-called Mars curse.

Historical Context: The Early Mars Missions and the Curse

Sally Helm sets the stage by recounting the series of unsuccessful attempts to explore Mars during the height of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. From the Soviet Zond mission in 1964, which failed due to communication issues, to multiple failed launches such as Mars 1969A and Mars 1969B, the narrative underscores the high failure rate with the US and Soviet space programs launching 15 missions and losing 11 to failures. Helm describes this streak of misfortune as the "Mars curse," painting a picture of Mars as a planet guarded by a "great galactic ghoul gobbling up their ships."

Beliefs in Martian Civilizations: Percival Lowell and H.G. Wells

The episode transitions into the historical fascination with Mars, particularly focusing on Percival Lowell, an influential astronomer who popularized the idea of Martian canals—supposed channels built by an advanced civilization to irrigate a dying planet. Helm explains Lowell's obsession, ignited by Giovanni Schiaparelli's 1877 observations of "canali" on Mars. William Sheehan elaborates on Lowell's influence, noting, "Lowell was an extraordinarily effective communicator with the public. He was a brilliant lecturer" ([10:41]).

This belief in Martian civilizations was further cemented by H.G. Wells' 1898 novel, The War of the Worlds, which portrayed Martians as invaders seeking Earth's resources. The novel's impact was magnified by Orson Welles' infamous 1938 radio broadcast that caused panic among listeners who believed the Martian invasion was real. Sheehan remarks, "Mars became the premier object of science fiction and also of scientific investigation" ([11:50]).

The Space Race Shift to the Moon

Amidst these Mars-focused aspirations, the space race took a pivotal turn towards the Moon, especially after President John F. Kennedy's famous 1962 speech: "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard" ([12:09]). This shift redirected NASA's priorities, sidelining Mars exploration despite the continued interest and hope among scientists and the public alike.

The 1971 Mars Missions: Mariner 9 and Soviet Mars 2,3

By 1971, both the US and Soviet space programs aimed to overcome the Mars curse. The Soviets launched Mars 2 and Mars 3 with ambitious plans to land probes on Mars' surface, striving to be the first to achieve this milestone. Concurrently, NASA launched Mariner 9, intending to be the first man-made object to orbit another planet.

However, shortly after their launches, all three missions faced unexpected challenges. Mariner 9 encountered the largest global dust storm ever recorded on Mars, rendering the planet's surface invisible through telescope observations ([18:18]). Sheehan recalls, "There was not a single detail to be seen. And what scientists had discovered was the largest global dust storm..." ([18:30]). This storm jeopardized the success of Mariner 9, leading NASA to remotely shut down its cameras to conserve resources ([21:03]).

The Soviet missions faced their own setbacks. Mars 2's probe became the first man-made object to crash into Mars, while Mars 3's probe achieved a brief landing but lost contact after just 1 minute and 50 seconds, likely due to the harsh Martian conditions ([21:49]).

Mariner 9: Overcoming the Curse

Despite the overwhelming odds, Mariner 9 persevered. Weeks after its mission began, the dust storm began to clear, allowing scientists to reactivate the spacecraft's cameras. As Sally Helm narrates, "By mid December, weeks later, the dust begins to clear and scientists power up the cameras on Mariner 9" ([22:35]). The spacecraft proceeded to map 70% of Mars' surface, capturing detailed images that revealed previously unseen geological features.

One of the most significant discoveries was Olympus Mons, the largest mountain in the solar system, towering at 72,000 feet—equivalent to two and a half Mount Everests ([24:10]). Additionally, Mariner 9 unveiled Valles Marineris, an immense canyon system that dwarfs the Earth's Grand Canyon, providing concrete evidence of Mars' complex geological history ([26:04]).

Scientific Insights and Legacy

The successful orbit and data collection by Mariner 9 had profound implications for our understanding of Mars. Carl Sagan, a young scientist on the Mariner team, analyzed temperature data and developed theories about planetary atmospheres, including the concept of a possible nuclear winter on Earth ([23:48]). Furthermore, the revelation that the greenish seasonal changes observed on Mars were actually due to wind-driven dust rather than vegetation dispelled long-held beliefs in a living Martian ecosystem ([25:13]).

Despite these advancements, the mystery of Mars' past water presence lingered. Evidence of liquid water flowing through Valles Marineris suggested that Mars once had a more hospitable environment, raising questions about the planet's potential to support life. The episode concludes by highlighting ongoing missions, such as NASA's Perseverance rover in July 2024, which discovered rock formations with spots that could indicate ancient microbial life, keeping the hope of uncovering past life on Mars alive ([27:44]).

Conclusion

"Breaking the Mars Curse" encapsulates the enduring human fascination with Mars, the scientific challenges overcome, and the tantalizing possibilities that continue to drive exploration. From the early missteps and mythical interpretations to the groundbreaking successes of Mariner 9, the episode illustrates how perseverance and technological advancements have gradually peeled back the layers of mystery surrounding the Red Planet. As William Sheehan optimistically states, "I would much rather have a history of a living Mars than a dead Mars" ([27:20]), reflecting the ongoing quest to answer one of humanity's most profound questions: Was there ever life on Mars?

Notable Quotes

• William Sheehan ([06:30]): "So that means even at its best it's a very small object and requires a really good telescope like the one behind me."

• John F. Kennedy ([12:09]): "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

• William Sheehan ([10:41]): "Lowell was an extraordinarily effective communicator with the public. He was a brilliant lecturer..."

• William Sheehan ([27:20]): "I would much rather have a history of a living Mars than a dead Mars..."

Key Figures Mentioned

• Sally Helm: Host of the episode.
• William Sheehan: Co-author of Discovering Mars and guest expert.
• Percival Lowell: Astronomer who theorized about Martian canals.
• H.G. Wells: Author of The War of the Worlds.
• Carl Sagan: Scientist on the Mariner team who later became renowned for his contributions to astronomy and planetary science.
• John F. Kennedy: Former US President who emphasized lunar exploration.

Final Thoughts

"Breaking the Mars Curse" offers a comprehensive exploration of Mars missions, intertwining scientific endeavors with cultural narratives. It highlights the resilience of scientists and engineers in overcoming setbacks, the impact of visionary thinkers, and the inexhaustible human curiosity that continues to propel us toward the stars. For those intrigued by the history and future of Mars exploration, this episode provides a captivating and informative journey through one of space exploration's most challenging chapters.