Report outlines science objectives for human Mars missions
A recent National Academies report outlines key science objectives for NASA’s initial human Mars missions, prioritizing the search for evidence of past or present life. It provides a roadmap balancing scientific goals with mission feasibility for the first three crewed landings. The report emphasizes astrobiology alongside environmental and human health studies.
The highest priority is determining evidence of habitability, extant or extinct life, or prebiotic chemistry in exploration zones. Additional top objectives include characterizing Mars’ water and CO2 cycles, reservoirs, and their evolution. Geologic records, niche habitats, bolide impacts, volcanism, and volatiles like ices also rank highly.
Objectives cover testing Martian environment effects on reproduction and genomes in model plants and animals across generations. Microbial dynamics in habitats must ensure stability without harming astronaut health. Dust impacts on physiology and hardware receive focus for safe operations.
Four campaigns structure objectives into surface activities, with roadmaps for equipment, landing sites near ice or caves, and pre/post-mission analyses. Priorities adapt to crew size and stay duration, integrating robotic precursors like Perseverance sample returns.
