Over the next decade and beyond, the United States will undertake an unprecedented exploration of the planet Mars. The possibilities created by Mars exploration provides an enormous opportunity for private and government sectors. The Space Science Institute and our corporate friends have realized this and are inviting others to join our partnership by seizing this unique opportunity to bring the 'Red Planet down to Earth.'

MarsQuest visitors work with an interactive using one of a number of computers donated by Hewlett-Packard.

MarsQuest includes an HDTV presentation on Mars thanks to contributions from Mitsubishi, CBS, and the American Museum of Natural History.

Developed in conjunction with research scientists involved in NASA's current and future Mars missions, science educators, and museum professionals, MarsQuest is the largest public outreach project ever assembled by the planetary science community. MarsQuest invites visitors to make comparisons with the Earth, explore major regions of the planet, and allow them to play the part of explorers. MarsQuest's 4,500 square feet contains more than twenty interactive devices as well as models that display stunning graphics and imagery. A planetarium show hosted by Patrick Stewart and an extensive education program also compliment MarsQuest.

On October 1, 2000 MarsQuest premiered at the McWane Center in Birmingham, Alabama with great success and exposure.

MarsQuest received major funding and support from the National Science Foundation and NASA. However, the MarsQuest partnership has extended beyond the government sector with many corporate friends providing incredible amounts of financial and in-kind support to the project. Because MarsQuest continues to evolve and expand there are still a variety of opportunities to participate in this exciting program.

Major funding for MarsQuest was provided by the National Science Foundation and NASA.

 

		The American Museum of Natural History produced high definition flyovers of various Martian terrains that were used in the Mitsubishi Imagination Theater.
		CBS used their studios in New York City to produce a high definition video for the Mitsubishi Imagination Theater.
		GoEngineer developed detailed molds of Olympus Mons and the Hawaiian Islands using scientific data.
		Hewlett-Packard donated workstations and monitors for the various computer-based interactives and displays in the exhibit.
		Lockheed Martin donated a Manned Martian Lander model.
		Mitsubishi provided an HDTV system for the Mitsubishi Imagination Theater.
		Reality Capture Technologies donated part of the development costs of the 3D Mars Virtual Explorer system.