Technology drives exploration and many of the technologies we need are in
various stages of conceptualization, development, or testing. Consequently,
NASA will continue to make key decisions and further define steps on this
journey as technology and knowledge mature. This is a good thing, as it
allows new ideas, new technologies, and new partnerships to be developed
during the next two decades of this journey.
This document communicates our strategy and shares our progress. It
reflects the ongoing discussion with our stakeholders and partners, and
an update on current plans and activities within an evolving architecture.
It identifies the challenges facing future pioneers and our strategy for
addressing these challenges. NASA’s strategy provides an evolutionary,
resilient framework for defining future missions. We are making progress
on the journey to Mars using current missions to advance technologies and
systems for the next decade, and we are conducting the technical analyses
needed to plan for the decades beyond.
We are on a journey to Mars. We have already taken the first steps. We are
excited by the challenges that remain, knowing they will only push us further.
Come join us on the journey!
Contents
Our Goal
3
Our Approach: Pioneering Principles
5
Three Phases on Our Journey to Mars
7
Our Strategy for the Journey to Mars
9
Our Progress and Plans on the Journey to Mars
13
Pioneering Challenges
29
Summary
33
2