sites for future robotic and human missions, many with incredible science
potential. Robotic landers have demonstrated that the Martian environment
could have supported microbial life, as we understand it here on Earth.
Additionally, robotic landers have measured radiation in transit and on the
surface, and gathered data for defining entry, descent, and landing (EDL)
approaches for future human missions. NASA’s Mars 2020 mission will
measure atmospheric entry conditions and surface dust, and demonstrate
production of oxygen from atmospheric carbon dioxide while selecting and
encapsulating samples for potential return to Earth. The journey to Mars
requires advanced human and robotic partnerships not imagined at the time
of Apollo.
While learning about Mars with robotic science scouts, we are also developing
advanced technologies to support human pioneers. NASA is investing in
technologies and rapidly prototyping new systems, which benefit both NASA
and our industry partners, while minimizing overall costs through innovative
partnerships. Focus areas include solar electric propulsion with advanced ion
thrusters, habitation systems, nuclear fission for Mars surface power, EDL
systems, laser communications for high data rate transmission, deep-space
atomic clocks for precise navigation, and many others. NASA will integrate
these technologies into pioneering capabilities, providing the tools necessary
for the journey to Mars.
Moving from Earth Reliant toward Earth
Independent
In the current Earth Reliant phase of human exploration, NASA and our
partners are using the ISS in LEO, supported by commercial cargo resupply
services and in the near future, commercial crew transportation. The delivery
and return of astronauts and cargo to the space station are measured in
hours, but any journey to Mars will take many months each way, and early
return is not an option. This is an entirely different operating regime, not
just for physical access but also for communications with Earth-based teams.
Astronauts in deep space must be more self-reliant and spacecraft systems and
operations must be more automated to operate safely and productively as we
explore beyond LEO. Cislunar space is the ideal Proving Ground for NASA
and its partners to test systems and to practice deep-space operations, such
as extravehicular activity (EVAs or spacewalks), and rendezvous and docking
prior to committing crew on long missions to Mars. NASA is focusing on
Proving Ground activities in cislunar space, and many of our partners see
cislunar space as a step toward human missions to the lunar surface. These
co