“You know, if you’re going to Mars, you’re going to go for the scenery, right? I mean you’re not going for the culture, you’re not going for the climate. So you’re definitely going for the scenery.”

 

One thing that people forget is that when’ve landed on Mars, we have to go to places that are safe and safe equals, pretty smooth and flat. Here’s a bit of Mars that’s anything but smooth and flat, the magnificent Valles Marineris. This titanic canyon system, over 2,500 miles long and six miles deep, is probably the grandest geological feature in the solar system. It’s clearly the red planet’s must-see destination. 

 

“As a human being, it’s the sheer gigantism of Mars that is amazing. The Valles Marineris is bits the Grand Canyon all over, and if you’ve ever seen the Grand Canyon, you will never forget it.”

 

It’s so colossal. The Grand Canyon would be easily swallowed by one of the smaller side branches.

 

“We’re talking about something here that’s the width of the United States or Australia crossed here.”

 

“Something to Valles Marineries would be a place to go, and build a large radar on the room you can look in.”

 

The attraction goes beyond sheer scenic splendor. Deeper than the canyon itself, is the mystery surrounding its formation. This giant fissure once filled by mighty lakes has been scoured by floods of biblical proportions.