Mars Gets Closer

Two articles from physorg.com:

1. The next Mars orbiter will look for landing sites for future surface missions as well as take higher resolution pictures and test a number of new technologies which will aid future missions.
2. NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts is exploring a new interplanetary propulsion concept called magnetized-beam plasma propulsion which could someday open Mars and the rest of the solar system to humanity. They're talking Mars missions with "there and back" times of 90 days!