Mars Exploration
For centuries mankind has been fascinated by the night sky. Countless numbers of scientists have dedicated their lives to learning and exploring our solar system. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has consistently lead the USA and the world in space experimentation and planned missions. One area they have actively pursued is the study of Mars. NASA has researched planet Mars for over decades and recently released a detailed plan containing their strategy for a manned mission to Mars. Their past experience, current research, and future plans are all part of what could potentially become mankind’s most revolutionary achievement.
Over the past few decades, NASA has launched several Mars missions, many of which …show more content…
The report outlined NASA’s plan for future Mars exploration as well as NASA’s goal of sending men and women to Mars in the 2030’s, “not just to visit, but to stay” (NASA 7, 29). In this report, the future missions were broken up into three categories: Earth Reliant, Proving Ground, and Earth Independent (NASA 7). The organization also identified three key challenges that must be overcome in order to have a manned Mars mission. Those challenges include transportation, working in space, and staying healthy (NASA 29-31). Each stage in the plan will systematically address these challenges in a way that will produce reliable …show more content…
In this stage, NASA plans to launch several missions in cislunar space, the area between the Earth and moon (NASA 7). The goals of this stage are to “conduct complex operations in a deep space environment,” and “[to] advance and validate capabilities required for human exploration of Mars” (NASA 7). While there are numerous missions within Proving Ground, the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) is especially important. The mission will have two segments and likely take place in the 2020’s (NASA 27). The first half will be solely robotic; a spacecraft will be sent to capture a several ton sample of an asteroid and then enter into orbit in cislunar space (NASA 21). For the second segment of ARM, a manned spacecraft will travel to the captured asteroid. It will make “a historic opportunity that will allow humans to venture outside of the spacecraft to touch, investigate, and experience an asteroid firsthand.” ARM will provide NASA with unique data as well as deep space travel experience. This will directly benefit the future Mars
For centuries mankind has been fascinated by the night sky. Countless numbers of scientists have dedicated their lives to learning and exploring our solar system. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has consistently lead the USA and the world in space experimentation and planned missions. One area they have actively pursued is the study of Mars. NASA has researched planet Mars for over decades and recently released a detailed plan containing their strategy for a manned mission to Mars. Their past experience, current research, and future plans are all part of what could potentially become mankind’s most revolutionary achievement.
Over the past few decades, NASA has launched several Mars missions, many of which …show more content…
The report outlined NASA’s plan for future Mars exploration as well as NASA’s goal of sending men and women to Mars in the 2030’s, “not just to visit, but to stay” (NASA 7, 29). In this report, the future missions were broken up into three categories: Earth Reliant, Proving Ground, and Earth Independent (NASA 7). The organization also identified three key challenges that must be overcome in order to have a manned Mars mission. Those challenges include transportation, working in space, and staying healthy (NASA 29-31). Each stage in the plan will systematically address these challenges in a way that will produce reliable …show more content…
In this stage, NASA plans to launch several missions in cislunar space, the area between the Earth and moon (NASA 7). The goals of this stage are to “conduct complex operations in a deep space environment,” and “[to] advance and validate capabilities required for human exploration of Mars” (NASA 7). While there are numerous missions within Proving Ground, the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) is especially important. The mission will have two segments and likely take place in the 2020’s (NASA 27). The first half will be solely robotic; a spacecraft will be sent to capture a several ton sample of an asteroid and then enter into orbit in cislunar space (NASA 21). For the second segment of ARM, a manned spacecraft will travel to the captured asteroid. It will make “a historic opportunity that will allow humans to venture outside of the spacecraft to touch, investigate, and experience an asteroid firsthand.” ARM will provide NASA with unique data as well as deep space travel experience. This will directly benefit the future Mars