Program "Мariner": Research of Mars.

As soon as became obvious, that dark spots on surfaces of Mars may not be the seas, the opinion was distributed, that they may be the extensive lowlands covered with vegetation. This hypothesis has existed down to flight to Mars of the first space vehicle "Маriner-4", started in 1964. It was found out, that dark areas are not cavities. Some from them, including Large Sirt, represent a raised plateau with slopes in all parties. Obviously, colouring is integrated by distinctions in a surface texture, instead of any vegetation.

American vehicles " Маriner-6 " and "Маriner-7" have passed near  Mars in the summer 1969, literally some days after Аrmstrong and Oldrin in "Apollo - 11" have landed into Moon. These vehicles again have transmitted images of craters alongside with mountainous areas. The even greater surprise was called with results of the measurements done by vehicles. So, the round light spot known as Ellas, to the south from V-shaped Large Sirt , appeared a cavity, instead of elevated a plateau as it was expected.

These first three "Маriners" were flying probes. "Маriner-8" and "Маriner-9", started in 1971, were put into orbit around of Mars, in order to receive and transmit the information, including photos, during one month, instead of several days. "Маriner-8" has stopped the existence at once after start and has fallen in the sea, but flight "Маriner-9" was successful. It has given many new data, switching 7329 photos

In 1965 "Маriner-4" has transmitted to the Earth the first photos of Mars from close distance. For transmission it is photos it was required 8hours and 35 min. (in the original size certainly).

Satellites of Mars Phobos and Damos there are less than moon. The nature of satellites of Mars remains not clear, but on photos "Маriner-9" it is possible to assume that either Phobos, or Damos are stone monoliths. They rather strongly differ from our moon; probably, it is the seized asteroids. Any of them is not given at night so much light, how many with moon. Phobos shines on Mars approximately also as Venus on the Earth, and Damos is even weaker. A surface of these satellites extremely dark.