MARS

JOHN GROTZINGER, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sedimentary Geologist, March 24, 2004
CZIKOWSKY: I find it amazing how well life adapts to its environment. To what extent is water a sign of life? Do scientists believe it may be possible that life forms could exist that do not depend on water? When there is water, do most scientists agree that life would then exist within that water? What is the consensus of speculation on such issues?
GROTZINGER: I think the consensus is that it is very difficult to develop a strategy to try and explore for life as we don’t know it here on Earth. The scope is too large, the possibilities too numerous and the cost and efficiencies of such an exploration program would be prohibitive. Consequently as scientists our first approach for this search for life on other planets begins with a model that assume that life evolved on Mars, if it did, as it did do here on Earth. And this enables us to pursue such scientific exploration in the most cost effective manner.

GEORGE BUTLER, filmmaker, and STEVE SQUYRES, IMAX film lead scientist, January 26, 2006
CZIKOWSKY: What were your reactions while reviewing all the footage of Mars? What surprised you the most of what you saw?
BUTLER and SQUYRES: Just the clarity of the images was quite extraordinary and there had been a minor dispute earlier because people involved with the film did not believe IMAX images could be transmitted through space but it all worked out in the end. Very pleased with the images.