Exploring Mars Together
NASA is reimagining the future of Mars exploration, driving new scientific discoveries, and preparing for humans on Mars.
Fascination with the Red Planet began with early astronomers in ancient Egypt. The Babylonians and the Greeks tracked the motion of the planet, while Galileo made the first telescope observations of Mars. Even today, when we look into the night sky and see the pale red dot above us, it inspires us to wonder about this nearby world.
NASA is reimagining the future of Mars exploration, driving new scientific discoveries, and preparing for humans on Mars. NASA’s Mars Exploration Program will focus the next two decades on its science-driven systemic approach on these strategic goals: exploring for potential life, understanding the geology and climate of Mars, and preparation for human exploration.
NASA is reimagining the future of Mars exploration, driving new scientific discoveries, and preparing for humans on Mars.
The Future of Mars Plan 2023-2043
How We Explore Mars
To discover the possibilities for life on Mars, NASA uses science-driven robotic missions enabling us to explore Mars in ways we never have before.
Mars 2020: Perseverance Rover
The Mars 2020 mission Perseverance rover is the first step of a roundtrip journey to return Mars samples to Earth. (2020-present)
Mars Sample Return
NASA and ESA are planning ways to bring the first samples of Mars material back to Earth for detailed study. (Launching NET 2027)
Curiosity Rover
Curiosity is investigating Mars to determine whether the Red Planet ever was habitable to microbial life. (2011-present)
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
MRO explores the planet's atmosphere and terrain from orbit. It is also a crucial communications hub.
