Life on Mars

The question of whether life ever existed on Mars drives most of our exploration. The Curiosity rover found organic molecules in Martian rocks — not proof of life, but proof that the chemical building blocks were present. Perseverance is collecting sealed rock samples from Jezero Crater for eventual return to Earth. Some scientists think Martian microbes could still survive deep underground, where liquid water may persist and radiation cannot reach. Finding even fossilized life would be one of the most significant discoveries in history.