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SpaceX founder Elon Musk says the trip to Mars is at hand, with the goal of bringing a million people to Mars by 100 years. SpaceX is not the only one trying to reach Mars, though. In fact, there are a number of missions, whether piloted or not, currently planned or proposed by government space organizations and private space flight companies from around the world.
The exploration of Mars and the eventual human journey are not new. While manned missions remained almost financially and logistically impossible, unmanned missions began in 1960. Up to now, 56 missions on Mars, 26 of which have been successful, show the difficulty in reach the red planet.
At the present time, there is a mobile currently operational, with another en route to arrive late this year (at the time of writing this story, Opportunity is stuck in a massive dust storm with low chances of survival). Orbiting Mars are six satellites, providing massive amounts of data on our dusty neighbor.
That does not stop there either. Many other missions are planned for the launch windows of 2020, 2022 and 2024, and there are proposals to put humans on Mars by the 2030s.
Operational missions and en-route
This part of the list includes the most outstanding missions in the world, most of which are still in business.
Mars Odyssey – 2001
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Named after the movie and the novel of iconic science fiction 2001: an odyssey of space, Mars Odyssey is an NASA orbital satellite currently located approximately 2,400 miles above the surface of Mars. It was launched on April 7, 2001 and holds the record as the longest spacecraft in orbit around Mars. The mission of Mars Odyssey was to find evidence of present or past water on Mars, using spectrometers and a thermal imager to map water distribution, which was successfully proven on July 21, 2008 by the Phoenix lander. Mars Odyssey also serves as a communication relay between the Mars and Earth rovers, the Mars Science Lab and the Phoenix Lander. It is expected to remain in business until 2025. "data-reactid =" 34 "> Named after the movie and the iconic science-fiction novel 2001: an odyssey of space, Mars Odyssey is an NASA orbital satellite currently located approximately 2,400 miles above the surface of Mars. It was launched on April 7, 2001 and holds the record as the longest spacecraft in orbit around Mars. The mission of Mars Odyssey was to find evidence of present or past water on Mars, using spectrometers and a thermal imager to map water distribution, which was successfully proven on July 21, 2008 by the Phoenix lander. Mars Odyssey also serves as a communication relay between the Mars and Earth rovers, the Mars Science Lab and the Phoenix Lander. It is expected that it will remain operational until 2025.
Mars Express – 2003
On June 2, 2003, the European Space Agency launched Mars Express along with the Beagle 2 lander. While Beagle 2 suffered a landing gear failure, Mars Express remained in communication with the Earth. Mars Express was launched to study the surface of Mars using high-resolution cameras, radar and spectrometers. So far, Mars Express has discovered water ice and carbon dioxide in the southern ice cap of Mars as well as a zone of liquid water underneath and has provided better details on the elemental and chemical composition of Mars. the surface and atmosphere of the planet. The project also resulted in a topographic map of Mars, high-resolution surface images and flyovers of the Mars moon, Phobos. This data has been incredibly valuable and has earned the business several end date extensions. It is currently planned to remain in business until the end of 2026.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter – 2005
On August 12, 2005, NASA launched the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which entered the orbit of Mars on March 10, 2006. The MRO has observed the landscape and made many large-scale discoveries, including the recent salt water on the surface and below the surface of the planet. MRO has also been used to find a landing zone for the Phoenix Lander and also serves as a relay for communications between active rovers and the Earth.
Curiosity Rover -2011
Like almost every other unmanned craft listed here, NASA's Curiosity was designed to study the landscape and climate of Mars, including the mobile part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). Specifically, Curiosity looks for potential evidence of microbial life-sustaining conditions – past or present – and assesses Mars' habitability prior to contact with humans. The most notable discovery to date is the discovery of organic molecules on the surface of the planet in 2018. The rover is equipped with a wide range of instruments and cameras and has been operational on Mars since 2012.
<h2 class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) – 2013"data-reactid =" 69 ">Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) – 2013
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The Indian Institute of Space Research (ISRO) launched its first interplanetary mission on November 5, 2013. Nicknamed "Mangalyaan", the craft is an orbiter mainly used as a proof of concept of the interplanetary technological capabilities of the planet. ISRO, testing various flights and communications. systems, and provide telemetry data. Mangalyaan also has a small series of research instruments designed to capture atmospheric data. It's also the least expensive Mars mission to date, which costs only $ 73 million. "Data-reactid =" 78 ">
The Indian Institute of Space Research (ISRO) launched its first interplanetary mission on November 5, 2013. Nicknamed "Mangalyaan", the craft is an orbiter mainly used as a proof of concept of the interplanetary technological capabilities of the planet. ISRO, testing various flights and communications. systems, and provide telemetry data. Mangalyaan also has a small series of research instruments designed to capture atmospheric data. It's also the least expensive Mars mission to date, costing only 73 million US dollars.
MAVEN – 2013
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The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) is currently seeking explanations of how the water and the atmosphere of Mars slowly deteriorated and escaped. After entering orbit in 2014, she quickly confirmed that the atmosphere of Mars was escaping into space, and other observations have shown that the planet's magnetic field is more like a tail, disturbed by the solar wind. This could explain the loss of atmosphere of the red planet, but scientists are still studying. "Data-reactid =" 88 ">
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) is currently seeking explanations of how the water and the atmosphere of Mars slowly deteriorated and escaped. After entering orbit in 2014, she quickly confirmed that the atmosphere of Mars was escaping into space, and other observations have shown that the planet's magnetic field is more like a tail, disturbed by the solar wind. This could explain the loss of atmosphere of the red planet, but scientists continue to investigate.
<h2 class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter – 2016"data-reactid =" 89 ">ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter – 2016
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Launched in 2016, ExoMars is the first of a series of joint missions to Mars through a partnership between the European Space Agency and Roscosmos. The mission actually included two probes, the TGO (ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter) and the Schiaparelli Lier EDM, but the LG lander crashed on the surface of Mars after being delivered by the TGO. The researchers hope to better understand the methane and other trace gases present in the Martian atmosphere that could demonstrate a possible biological activity. "Data-reactid =" 98 ">
Launched in 2016, ExoMars is the first of a series of joint missions to Mars through a partnership between the European Space Agency and Roscosmos. The mission actually included two probes, the TGO (ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter) and the Schiaparelli Lier EDM, but the LG lander crashed on the surface of Mars after being delivered by the TGO. The researchers hope to better understand the methane and other gases present in the Martian atmosphere, which could be evidence of the possibility of biological activity.
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Launched in May 2018 and destined to arrive on Mars in November, the InSight Lander, short for "Indoor Exploration Using Seismic Studies, Geodesy and Heat Transport", aims to study the heart of Mars and observe any seismic activity on the surface of the planet. It is hoped that thanks to the data collected, we can better understand how rocky planets such as the Earth, Mars, Venus and Mercury are formed. Current plans include a deployment phase of two months to landing, followed by nearly two years of observations as part of the initial mission. "Data-reactid =" 108 ">
Launched in May 2018 and destined to arrive on Mars in November, the InSight Lander, short for "Indoor Exploration Using Seismic Studies, Geodesy and Heat Transport", aims to study the heart of Mars and observe any seismic activity on the surface of the planet. It is hoped that thanks to the data collected, we can better understand how rocky planets such as the Earth, Mars, Venus and Mercury are formed. Current plans include a deployment phase of two months to landing, followed by nearly two years of observations as part of the initial mission.
Planned missions
Thanks to a "launch window" (when Mars is closer to Earth for shorter trips) and a bit of coincidence, there are quite a few March mission launches in the summer of 2020. Although we are starting here, means the only ones. There are no fewer than seven missions already confirmed until 2024, and at least a dozen others in the mid-2040s.
For reasons of brevity, we will focus on the missions confirmed here, but we will also talk about the missions proposed later.
Hope Mars Mission – 2020
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Hope is an important mission for a big reason: it is the first probe launched by an Arab or Muslim country. Announced by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Hope aims to study the Martian atmosphere and discover why the planet has lost its atmosphere. The results should also help scientists better model our atmosphere for a million years. The UAE is currently launching in July 2020. "data-reactid =" 121 ">
Hope is an important mission for a big reason: it is the first probe launched by an Arab or Muslim country. Announced by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Hope aims to study the Martian atmosphere and discover why the planet has lost its atmosphere. The results should also help scientists better model our atmosphere for a million years. The UAE is currently launching in July 2020.
March 2020 Rover – 2020
future mission march mission rover 2020
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This next NASA mission aims to study Martian astrobiology in order to understand what environmental conditions may have been on Mars in the past thanks to a Martian sample return (or MSR). The goal would be for the robot to collect samples of rocks, minerals and other materials from Mars and return them to Earth on a subsequent mission. The launch window is currently set for July 2020. "data-reactid =" 135 ">
This next NASA mission aims to study Martian astrobiology in order to understand what environmental conditions may have been on Mars in the past thanks to a Martian sample return (or MSR). The goal would be for the robot to collect samples of rocks, minerals and other materials from Mars and return them to Earth on a subsequent mission. The launch window is currently set for July 2020.
ExoMars Rover – 2020
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This mobile includes part of the ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars 2020 joint mission, which aims to search for evidence of past or present life on Mars during its six months of activity. The ESA will provide the rover, while Roscosmos will provide the LG. The launch window has been moved from 2018 to July 2020 due to production delays, but is now on track to meet its current release date. "Data-reactid =" 145 ">
This mobile includes part of the ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars 2020 joint mission, which aims to search for evidence of past or present life on Mars during its six months of activity. The ESA will provide the rover, while Roscosmos will provide the LG. The launch window has been moved from 2018 to July 2020 due to production delays, but is now on track to meet its current release date.
Mars Global Remote Sensing Orbiter, Lander and Small Rover – 2020
China's National Space Science Center is preparing a Mars-based interplanetary mission to be launched in the summer of 2020. The mission's planned payload includes an orbiter, a lander and a mobile, and will serve as a technological demonstration of the resources and capabilities of the mission. technology required for a Mars. sample return mission proposed in the 2030s.
Mars Terahertz Microsatellite – 2020
Launched as a payload layered with another mission to Mars (no partners have yet been announced), the Mars Terahertz microsatellite is a joint venture of the National Institute of Information Technology. and Communications (NTIC) and the University of Tokyo. Systems Laboratory (ISSL). The terahertz sensor will be sent to the surface of Mars to measure isotope ratios of oxygen in the atmosphere to better understand the chemical reactions that replenish the Martian atmosphere with carbon dioxide. . No design has been announced yet.
<h2 class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Mangalyaan 2 (Mars Orbiter Mission 2) – 2022"data-reactid =" 170 ">Mangalyaan 2 (Mars Orbiter Mission 2) – 2022
Mangalyaan 2 is the sequel given by the Indian Space Research Organization to its initial interplanetary mission on Mars. An orbiter has been announced as the main component of the mission up to now, however, a lander and a rover are potential additions. The mission is currently scheduled for launch window 2021-22.
Exploration of the Martian Moons (MMX) – 2024
Japan plans to send a probe to the largest moon of Mars, Phobos, in 2024. It will land on Phobos, collect samples and observe the smallest moon Deimos and the climate of Mars during overflights of both. The probe will then send the samples to the ground, arriving in July 2029.
Proposed missions
Mars missions being too expensive, there are not many approved missions funded by the government. In fact, the years 2020 and the following years will see a dramatic increase in private or publicly funded missions, not only on Mars, but elsewhere in the solar system and beyond.
As things stand, only NASA, China's CNSA and Roscosmos have proposed government-supported missions to the Red Planet. NASA plans to send a telecommunications orbiter to Mars in the late 2020s, with very early plans for possible manned missions in the 2030s after a successful return to the moon.
Chinese CNSA is currently planning a Martian return mission in 2030 to bring back samples collected by the Obiter, Lander and Small Rover from Mars Global Remote Sensing. His current plans put the Chinese on the moon in 2026. Finally, Roscosmos plans to have Russians on Mars between 2040 and 2045.
Private companies will not be so small. Although SpaceX's plans have been difficult to define (probably because of the fondness of its founder, Elon Musk, to change its mind), a mission to Mars still seems likely in the 2020s. Musk wants to unload his first transport on Mars in 2022, followed by four vehicles, two of which would be crewed, in the launch window of 2024.
This sounds quite ambitious (in fact, Musk simply called it), and other Mars-related projects, such as Mars One, have had to deal with the harsh reality of interplanetary space travel.
At the initial announcement of his projects in 2012, it was originally planned that humans be on Mars as early as 2025. However, the organization was criticized for its plans and lack of it. 39; money. Now, it is said that his first mission will take place in 2022, followed by a host of communications, research and cargo missions during the 2020s, and the first humans on Mars by 2032.
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