Sending astronauts to Mars is a long journey that will take billions of dollars and decades of effort. So, why is NASA pursuing this big goal? A recent report called “A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars” answers that question. It was prepared by top scientists and engineers who highlight the importance of checking if life ever existed beyond Earth.
“We’re searching for life on Mars,” says Dava Newman, a professor at MIT and co-chair of the report. “The question of ‘are we alone’ will always have a ‘maybe’ answer until we find definite proof.”
After two years of work, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released the report. The committee, led by Newman and Linda T. Elkins-Tanton from UC Berkeley, focused on the top scientific priorities for the first human missions to Mars.
Interestingly, this report was published just as Jared Isaacman, a private astronaut, is likely to be confirmed as NASA’s new administrator. Isaacman is keen on paving the way for future Mars missions while companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are advancing technologies to transport humans to the red planet in the next 20 years.
“There’s no turning back,” Newman stated. “This is becoming real. We now have the technologies that weren’t available decades ago.”
The report identifies 11 science objectives that are crucial for understanding Mars alongside human exploration:
- Search for Life: Investigate evidence of life, past or present, on Mars.
- Water and Carbon Dioxide: Study how the cycles of water and carbon have evolved.
- Mars Geology: Learn more about the geological history of Mars.
- Crew Health: Assess how humans cope psychologically and physically in the Martian setting.
- Dust Storms: Analyze the origins and characteristics of major dust storms.
- Search for Resources: Focus on utilizing local resources like water and propellant.
- Mars and Genomes: Explore how Mars affects the reproduction and genetic function of living organisms.
- Understanding Microbes: Determine if microbial populations remain stable on Mars.
- Martian Dust: Investigate how harmful and intrusive Martian dust is to humans and technology.
- Plants and Animals: Assess any impacts Mars may have on the development of plants and animals over generations.
- Radiation Sampling: Understand radiation levels and their effects at the Martian surface.
This mission is not just about exploration; it’s about connecting humanity to the broader universe. Recent surveys show that around 70% of the public supports manned missions to Mars. People are curious and excited about the possibilities of discovering life beyond Earth.
As history has shown, ambitious missions such as the Apollo moon landing fueled advancements in technology and science, leading to inventions we use in everyday life. The Mars mission could spark a new wave of innovation, with experts predicting it could inspire the next generation in science and engineering.
The exploration of Mars is a giant leap for humanity. It may soon answer some of our biggest questions about life beyond our planet.
