As we stand on the brink of a new era in space exploration, the coming years promise to advance our knowledge of Mars like never before. It is important that both scientists and astronomy-enthusiasts alike understand the future of Mars discovery projects, the steps to these projects, and their overall goals in regards to advancing our knowledge of the Red Planet.
NASA’s Artemis Program, for example, aims to return astronauts to the moon by the mid-2020s, with the long-term vision of establishing a lunar base to support deeper space exploration.
But the Artemis missions are not just about reaching the Moon – the mission serves as an important step in preparing for the more challenging journey to Mars. The technology utilized in these missions will refresh and improve upon the logistics of a future Mars mission by refining life support systems, habitat technologies, and surface operations.
Another significant player in advancing Mars exploration is the European Space Agency (ESA) with its ambitious ExoMars Program. The Canadian Space Agency is expected to provide expertise in robotics during this mission – a field in which Canada has a longstanding reputation, thanks to the development of the Canadarm used on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
The ExoMars Program consists of two main missions: the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Rosalind Franklin rover.
Launched in 2016, the TGO is already in orbit around Mars, analyzing trace gases in the Martian atmosphere, such as methane, which could potentially indicate biological activity. The TGO also provides insight into specific climate and atmospheric information.
The Rosalind Franklin rover, scheduled for launch around 2028, is equipped with advanced scientific instruments designed to search for signs of life and study Mars’ geology. Named in honor of the renowned scientist Rosalind Franklin, the rover will drill beneath the Martian surface to access untouched samples that could reveal the planet’s past habitability.
Lastly, NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) Mission stands out as a highly anticipated project set to revolutionize our understanding of Mars. Also scheduled for the late 2020s, this mission aims to be one of the most ambitious and complex missions thus far.
The Mars Sample Return Mission has a two-part approach. First, it involves the Perseverance rover (currently operating on Mars), which is tasked with collecting soil and rock samples from the Martian surface. The second part of the mission will be a collaborative effort between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). A new sample retrieval lander will be launched to Mars, where it will deploy a rover to collect the samples from Perseverance. Once collected, the samples will be loaded into a Mars Ascent Vehicle, which will launch them into orbit around Mars.
In orbit, a return spacecraft will rendezvous with the Mars Ascent Vehicle to capture the samples and bring them back to Earth. Overall, the mission will allow scientists to study complex materials in laboratories on Earth, providing a better understanding of Mars’ geology, climate history, and potential for past life.
It is clear that the future of Mars exploration is riddled with scientific innovation and sheer grit. Although inhabiting the planet will be a great challenge, it is clear that humanity is finally taking the appropriate – and difficult – journey towards the end goal of better understanding the universe around us, and our role in it.
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The Mars Society of Canada offers a professional and credible platform for all space advocates to promote Canada’s participation in Mars science and exploration. By becoming a member of our federal not-for-profit, you provide direct support for our educational, public outreach and analog research efforts. We proudly represent the voice of thousands of Canadians who believe in the profound benefit of Mars exploration, and a multi-planetary future for humanity.