re: Mars and its perceptions throughout time
Mariner 9 and Vikings 1 and 2 were definitely an improvement if we consider Mariner flights up to 7.
But the Apollo 11 momentum was lost.
And it also depends on what the public wants to see in the neighbouring planet.
I'm just back from hours in a field, looking at Mars. We had visitors, curious about what we were doing and interested in looking at Mars. Normally we're left alone, but this time there was lots of attention!
Raoul