ASTRONOMERS around the world this weekend marked the 20th anniversary of the launching of the iconic Hubble, NASA’s first orbiting space telescope that has revolutionised human understanding of the universe.

A Nasa spacecraft was today closing in on Mars, carrying a six-wheeled vehicle that is to roam the Red Planet’s rocky surface in search of geologic evidence that Mars was once suitable for life.

Nasa wants to develop atomic-powered rockets and nuclear reactors for colonies on other planets.

The latest mission to Mars has blasted off from Earth to start its seven-month journey to the red planet.