Mars

Mars is the fourth planet in the Sol system and a Federation Member State.

Mars was first colonized by Humans in 2103, and established as a colony of United Earth. In the mid-22nd Century, however, a general uprising known as the War of Martian Independence occured in support of Martian sovereignty. (S31 novel: Rogue) This movement culminated with the drafting of the Fundamental Declarations of the Martian Colonies, which became one of the most important documents addressing individual rights in Federation history. (TOS episode: "Court Martial") Mars eventually gained independence from United Earth and later became a Federation Member State in its own right by 2286. (TNG novel: The Genesis Wave: Book I)

In 2155, Mars was the site of the Verteron Array, a powerful device designed to keep asteroids and other planetoids away from Earth and other important locales in the Sol system. That year, the anti-alien terrorist group known as Terra Prime attempted to hijack the array to destroy the headquarters complex of the United Earth Starfleet in order to force all non-Humans out of the Sol system. The attempt failed with the intervention of the crew of Enterprise NX-01. (ENT episodes: "Demons," "Terra Prime")

As part of Humans' colonization efforts, Mars was in te process of being terraformed in the mid-22nd century, by redirecting comets to impact the planet and release their frozen gases into the thin Martian atmosphere. (ENT episode: "Terra Prime") By the 24th century, there was breathable atmosphere outside of enclosed habitats. (VOY episode: "Lifesigns")

Mars is the location of the city of Utopia Planitia, and Starfleet's Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards. (VOY episode: "The 37s;" TNG episode: "Encounter At Farpoint".)

Notable Martians

 * Members of Jean-Luc Picard's family were among the early Martian settlers. (movie: Star Trek: Generations)
 * Starfleet Lieutenant Mira Romaine was born at Martian Colony 3. (TOS episode: "The Lights of Zetar")
 * Doctor Simon Tarses was a native of the Martian Colonies. (TNG episode: "The Drumhead")
 * Jaresh-Inyo, former President of the United Federation of Planets (and native of Grazer) retired to Mars after leaving office in 2372, and was buried there following his death in 2380. (novel: Articles of the Federation)
 * Leah Brahms and Benjamin Sisko resided on Mars while stationed at Utopia Planitia.
 * Sean Hawk, former fight controller of the USS Enterprise-E.
 * Ensign Vanessa Theriault of the USS Sagittarius