Mars has been a prime target for space exploration projects for decades. With its harsh environment but still capable of supporting life, the red planet has become an important research subject for both science and space technology. In the coming decade, a series of ambitious Mars exploration projects will be launched, with the goal of learning more about the planet’s surface, climate, and ability to support life. This article will delve into the important Mars exploration projects in the coming decade.
1. Mars Sample Return: Bringing Samples From Mars Back to Earth
One of the most notable projects is the “Mars Sample Return,” scheduled to be launched in the next decade. This is a joint project between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) with the goal of bringing samples from Mars back to Earth for thorough analysis.
The project is a follow-up to the Perseverance rover mission, which is currently collecting samples of rock and soil from the surface of Mars. These samples will be stored in special tubes and then brought back to Earth through a complex series of missions that include launching from the surface of Mars and transporting them back to Earth. These samples will provide detailed information about the geology, chemistry, and history of Mars, helping scientists better understand the planet’s ancient environments and the possibility of microbial life.
2. Mars Environment Research: Perseverance and Ingenuity
The Perseverance rover successfully landed in Jezero Crater on Mars in February 2021. Its main goals are to search for signs of ancient microbial life and study the past climate of Mars. Perseverance is equipped with modern scientific instruments to analyze the composition of rocks and the atmosphere, collect samples, and send data back to Earth.
In addition, “Ingenuity,” a small helicopter attached to Perseverance, successfully completed multiple flights on the surface of Mars. This is the first time a flying vehicle has been able to operate on another planet, opening up the potential for future flying vehicles to explore hard-to-reach areas of Mars.
3. The First Human Mission to Mars: NASA and SpaceX
One of the biggest goals of the next decade is to send humans to Mars. NASA and SpaceX are leading the way in developing these plans. NASA is currently working on the Artemis project, which aims to return humans to the Moon by the middle of this decade, and then serve as a springboard for missions to Mars.
SpaceX, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has developed the “Starship,” a large, reusable spacecraft designed to take humans and cargo to Mars. SpaceX hopes to launch the first unmanned flights to Mars by the end of this decade, and manned flights in the decade after that. The project will not only expand our understanding of Mars, but also lay the groundwork for building permanent settlements on the red planet.
4. MAVEN and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Studying the Martian Atmosphere
“MAVEN” (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) and “Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter” are two probes orbiting Mars to study the planet’s atmosphere and surface. MAVEN, launched in 2013, focuses on studying how the Martian atmosphere has changed over time, especially the loss of important gases such as carbon dioxide and water into space.
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been in operation since 2006, has returned thousands of detailed images of the Martian surface, helping scientists better understand the planet’s geology and formation. The two missions will continue to operate for the next decade, contributing to the study of Mars’ evolution and supporting landing missions to the surface.
5. ExoMars: Mission to Search for Life on Mars
“ExoMars” is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos (Russia), with the goal of searching for life on Mars. The project consists of two phases: the first phase, launching the “Trace Gas Orbiter” spacecraft in 2016 to study gases in the Martian atmosphere, and the second phase will launch a lander and robotic probe in 2022 (expected).
ExoMars will focus on searching for signs of life, both present and past, in the Martian soil. The rover will be able to drill deep into the Martian surface to collect samples, helping us better understand the subsurface environment and the potential for microbial life.
6. Plans for Building a Base on Mars
Over the next decade, many space organizations and companies are researching and developing plans to build bases on Mars, with the goal of permanently settling on the planet. SpaceX and NASA both have ambitious plans to send humans to Mars and establish bases for research and resource extraction.
These bases will play a vital role in supporting further exploration missions and could be a stepping stone to permanent human settlement on Mars. Advanced technologies such as 3D printing and oxygen production from the Martian atmosphere will play a key role in building and maintaining these bases.
7. Future Mars Exploration Technology
Successful Mars exploration missions in the next decade will require the development of many advanced technologies. One of them is the use of “artificial intelligence” (AI) to help rovers and probes make quick decisions in remote and harsh space conditions.
In addition, technologies such as nuclear power and solar power will also play an important role in providing energy for probes and bases on Mars. Using renewable energy and sustainable energy sources will help prolong the life of missions on this planet.
Space exploration
The next decade promises to bring major advances in the exploration of Mars. From projects to bring samples back to Earth to human missions to the red planet, advances in space science and technology are opening new doors for exploration of our closest planet.
With the participation of many international organizations, from NASA, ESA, Roscosmos to SpaceX, the exploration and research of Mars in the next decade will bring important discoveries about life, the environment and the potential for human settlement on the red planet. The journey to explore Mars continues and there will be many interesting things waiting ahead.
