A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars

[Flyaway]

When astronauts set foot on Mars, it will be one of humanity’s greatest milestones. These first steps will be the result of decades of research, engineering, and imagination coming together, marking the beginning of a new era of discovery on another planet.

A new National Academies report, A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars, outlines how future missions can advance the highest-priority scientific goals for understanding the Red Planet and preparing for sustained human exploration. The report identifies opportunities to search for signs of life beyond Earth, reveal how planets evolve, and test systems and resources that can support humans far from home.

Join us as we share findings from the report on how we can advance science and discovery through human missions to Mars. The event will be held at the National Academies Keck Center in Washington D.C. and livestreamed online on December 9, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (ET).

https://www.seti.org/events/a-science-strategy-for-the-human-exploration-of-mars/

The slides and the report (https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/28594) also mention the first 1-3 landings being 30 sols each. The report suggests these are "short-stay" (presumably opposition class) missions.

Statement of task found in appendix (https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/28594/chapter/10).

 

[publiusr]

The big takeaway from that report is that there is more acceptance of Starship despite the impossibility of scrubbing it down--punctuated by the recent finds in so-called clean rooms.

A small lander cannot scrub itself down in the field.

Suitports will help, and astronauts on Mars could microwave garments that go over suits and destroy them once they get back.