The NASA recently published a strategic document entitled “Expanding the horizons of Martian science: a blueprint for a sustainable science program on Mars — Mars Exploration Program 2024-2044”which defines priorities and objectives for missions to the Red Planet over the next twenty years.
This ambitious plan, developed for Directorate of Scientific Missions and the Mars Exploration Program (MEP)aims to redefine humanity's approach to the exploration of the fourth planet in the Solar System.
Scientific objectives and key questions
The new program focuses on some of the biggest science questions related to Mars: How has the habitability of Mars evolved over its history? Did life ever appear on the planet? Does it still exist today in forms that are hidden or difficult to detect? The investigation into the potential oasis of life will focus on remote or difficult-to-access regions, such as those in the southern hemisphere, characterized by high plateaus, underground glaciers and volcanic formations.
These places, often inaccessible to current technologies, could harbor traces of past life or favorable environments for extremophile organisms.
New paradigms for Martian exploration
The report proposes paradigmatic changes in NASA's approach to the exploration of Mars, which include low cost missions : with budgets between 100 and 300 million eurosexcluding launch and operational costs, these rapid and frequent missions could explore a wide range of scientific objectives; of the middle class strategic missions : more complex projects, with costs between 1 and 2 billion eurosaimed at solving crucial questions, such as the study of sites of high scientific priority or the development of advanced technologies for future human landings.
The integration of commercial services and collaboration with private, academic and international actors represent a key element of the new model.
This approach aims to exploit the growing space economy to accelerate progress in Martian exploration.
Access to unexplored regions and new technologies
Advanced technologies will be essential to reach Martian areas of particular interest, such as:
- Caves and underground formations : possible refuges for microbial life thanks to protection against cosmic rays.
- Subsurface ice deposits : crucial for understanding the climatic history of Mars and for supporting future human missions.
- Volcanic areas : which could offer traces of ancient hydrothermal activities favorable to life.
Inclusion and sustainability in the Mars Exploration Program
Eric Ianson, director of Mars Exploration Program, highlights the need to break withconventionalthinking. The goal is not only to increase the number of missions, but also to make Martian exploration more inclusive and sustainable, with particular attention to diversity in scientific and engineering teams.
Global challenges and the role of the international community
In the context of growing international competition for Mars exploration, NASA's plan recognizes that the agency is no longer the only player with Martian ambitions.
Countries like Chine, l’Inde and private entities, such as SpaceX, are developing innovative programs for Mars.
International cooperation and the exchange of skills will be fundamental to keeping the United States at the forefront of planetary exploration.
A future for humanity on Mars
In addition to searching for traces of life, NASA's plan lays the foundations for a future sustainable human presence on Mars. Enabling technologies and advanced infrastructure could transform the Red Planet into a new chapter in human exploration, addressing the need to discover whether Mars can ever become a second home for humanity.
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