The delight of landing safely
海盗号在火星安全着陆
and receiving these extraordinary pictures
并传回到了非凡的图像
was followed by what seemed to be an incredible discovery.
随后 他们似乎有了重大发现
Initial observations suggested
初步观测显示
that they had detected microbial life
火星车在火星土壤中检测到了
in the Martian soil.
微生物的迹象
But as the euphoria subsided
但欢呼过后
and the scientific data was analysed,
随着数据分析完毕
a new realisation dawned.
却是相反的结论
Viking had in fact
海盗号没能
failed to find life on Mars.
在火星上发现生命
And the results were either negative or just ambiguous
结果不是证明没有生命就是模棱两可
and it made us realise that it's not going to be this easy.
我们认识到要完成任务绝不会这样容易
Since the 1970s,
自20世纪70年代以来
other missions have told us much more about Mars.
其他火星任务为我们提供了更多信息
Successful rovers and orbiters have produced detailed maps
成功抵达的火星车和轨道飞行器获取了
of the red planet's surface
火星地表的详细图像资料
and breakdowns of its atmosphere.
以及大气组成成分

重点解释：

1.seem to be 似乎

例句：We seem to be missing two chairs.
我们好像少了两把椅子。

2.in fact 事实上

例句：In fact, I think an old car is better than none.
事实上，我认为有一辆旧车总比没车强。

3.fail to 未能

例句：I never fail to write to my parents every month.
我每个月一定写信给我的父母亲。