Mapping the surface minerals and understanding the planet's internal structure.
Studying the history and current state of the Martian atmosphere.
Using current chemical propulsion, the one-way journey typically takes 7 to 9 months . 3. The Martian Environment Challenges
Before any rocket launches, mission planners must define clear goals. Common objectives for Mars Exploration include:
Determining if Mars ever supported microbial life.
Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months . This alignment, known as "opposition," minimizes the fuel needed for the roughly 300-million-mile trip.
Mars is a hostile environment that dictates how equipment and habitats are designed: Mars - NASA Science
Getting to Mars requires overcoming massive gravitational and orbital hurdles:
Mapping the surface minerals and understanding the planet's internal structure.
Studying the history and current state of the Martian atmosphere.
Using current chemical propulsion, the one-way journey typically takes 7 to 9 months . 3. The Martian Environment Challenges
Before any rocket launches, mission planners must define clear goals. Common objectives for Mars Exploration include:
Determining if Mars ever supported microbial life.
Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months . This alignment, known as "opposition," minimizes the fuel needed for the roughly 300-million-mile trip.
Mars is a hostile environment that dictates how equipment and habitats are designed: Mars - NASA Science
Getting to Mars requires overcoming massive gravitational and orbital hurdles:
