Mars has long been an important target in human space exploration programs. The red planet not only holds mysteries about the possibility of life in the past, but is also a potential place for future human settlement missions. With successes from missions such as NASA’s Perseverance or China’s Tianwen-1, countries and organizations around the world are aiming to carry out the next exploration missions to learn more about history. , the geology and climate of Mars as well as preparing for the possibility of sending humans to this planet.
Below are the major future Mars mission projects, focusing on studying the red planet and developing advanced technology to carry out manned missions.
NASA and ESA: Mars Sample Return Mission
One of the most important missions of the next decade is Mars Sample Return (MSR), a joint project between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). The goal of this mission is to return samples from the surface of Mars to Earth for detailed analysis. Perseverance, which is currently collecting samples at Jezero crater, will play a key role in this mission. The samples are stored in special tubes and will be brought back to Earth by spacecraft in the coming years.
The Mars Sample Return mission not only gives scientists the opportunity to analyze rock and soil samples directly, but also provides information about Mars’ ability to support life in the past. These samples will help better understand the planet’s chemical and mineralogical composition, opening up new research directions into the biology, geology and climate of Mars.
SpaceX: Mission to bring humans to Mars
One of the boldest projects in the history of space exploration is SpaceX’s plan to send humans to Mars. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has repeatedly affirmed that the company’s long-term goal is to send humans to the red planet and establish a self-sustaining colony there. To achieve this goal, SpaceX is developing the Starship spacecraft, a fully reusable vehicle capable of carrying cargo and people to Mars.
Starship is expected to conduct test flights to Mars in the late 2020s, with the goal of sending the first humans to the red planet in the 2030s. This mission will be an important step in sending humans going further into space and opening a new era in the history of space exploration. Major challenges such as ensuring water, oxygen and fuel supplies, as well as building safe habitats on Mars, will need to be addressed to make this mission possible.
Chinese Space Agency: Tianwen-3
After the success of the Tianwen-1 mission, which sent the Zhurong probe and rover to Mars, China is planning Tianwen-3, a follow-up Mars mission with the ambition to carry samples return to Earth. Expected in the mid-2020s, Tianwen-3 will collect and send back soil and rock samples from the surface of Mars for analysis.
Like NASA and ESA’s Mars Sample Return project, Tianwen-3 will provide more information about the geology and climate of Mars, contributing to global understanding of the planet. At the same time, China is also developing technology for future human missions to Mars, with plans to build research stations and habitats on the red planet.
ExoMars: Mission to Discover Microbial Life
ExoMars is a joint project between ESA and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), with the goal of searching for signs of microbial life on Mars. The project includes two parts: the Trace Gas Orbiter probe (in operation since 2016) and the Rosalind Franklin rover (expected to launch in the late 2020s).
Rosalind Franklin will drill deep into the surface of Mars to search for organic compounds and biological signatures, especially in potential areas of water. ExoMars will provide insight into the likelihood that the red planet once supported life and will help shape future strategies for the search for extraterrestrial life.
India’s Mangalyaan 2: Mars Exploration
After the success of Mangalyaan 1, India’s first Mars mission, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is planning Mangalyaan 2. It is expected to launch in the late 2020s or early years. 2030, Mangalyaan 2 will be an upgraded orbiter to further study the climate and geology of Mars.
The main goal of Mangalyaan 2 is to continue collecting data on the atmosphere of Mars, climate changes and weather phenomena on the red planet. India is also developing key technologies to prepare for further missions, including the possibility of sending autonomous robots or humans to Mars.
Mars Mission
Future Mars mission projects promise to open new doors in exploring and studying the red planet. From bringing samples back to Earth for detailed analysis to sending humans to Mars, these missions not only help us better understand our planetary neighbor but also prepare for their presence. people up there. In the coming years, with the development of technology and international cooperation, Mars missions will become more and more important in advancing space science and expanding humanity’s horizons. Advances in Mars exploration will bring us closer to our goal of becoming an interplanetary civilization.
