A prototypical vehicle to inspire the exploration of Mars, on tour through the Eastern United States this summer.

A prototypical vehicle to inspire the exploration of Mars, on tour through the Eastern United States this summer.

Imagining the trip to Mars, from Atlanta.

It’s been 20 years since the first Earthling vehicle touched down on the Red Planet. The Sojourner wasn’t much bigger than a toy—just a foot high and a couple feet wide—and definitely not big enough to host humans. Putting people on the surface of Mars will take a much bigger set of wheels. One prototype for the job stops by Atlanta this weekend, July 14-16. You can see it at SunTrust Park, the first stop on the Kennedy Space Center's Summer of Mars tour. 

Astronaut Jon McBride accompanied the Mars Rover to Atlanta, July 13-16.

Astronaut Jon McBride accompanied the Mars Rover to Atlanta, July 13-16.

Joe Reisigl of Atlanta explores the laboratory space inside the rover.

Joe Reisigl of Atlanta explores the laboratory space inside the rover.

An interior view of the rover.

An interior view of the rover.

Special wheels were designed to allow sand and rocks pass through.

Special wheels were designed to allow sand and rocks pass through.

A view of the cockpit.

A view of the cockpit.

Tags: SunTrust Park  mars  Atlanta  Georgia