For decades, the idea of sending humans to Mars has captivated the imagination of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts worldwide. Since the 1950s, space agencies have studied how to make this long-awaited mission a reality. Fast forward to 2024, and NASA is closer than ever to achieving its goal, thanks to a multi-phase approach that includes leveraging the Moon as a steppingstone to Mars, collaborating with private industry, and developing groundbreaking technologies.
NASA’s current roadmap is based on lessons learned from previous missions, the rise of private space ventures, and international collaboration. Let’s explore the latest updates in NASA’s plans for a manned mission to Mars, including the crucial role of the Artemis program, simulated Mars missions, and the challenges that lie ahead.
In 2015, NASA outlined a three-phase plan for sending humans to Mars by the 2030s. This roadmap has evolved over time, and with new milestones reached, NASA’s strategy has shifted to incorporate advanced technology, partnerships, and lunar exploration through the Artemis program.
Phase 1: Earth Reliant
Phase 1 focuses on research and development conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS), studying the long-term effects of space travel on human physiology and technology. The goal is to ensure that astronauts can survive the grueling conditions of deep space.
By 2024, this phase has expanded beyond the ISS. NASA’s Artemis program—which aims to return humans to the Moon—plays a pivotal role in preparing astronauts for Mars. The Moon is now viewed as a critical testing ground for systems that will eventually be used on Mars.
For example, the successful launch of Artemis 1 in 2022, an uncrewed mission to test NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, was a major milestone in ensuring that future crewed missions can safely travel beyond Earth orbit. The upcoming Artemis 2 mission, scheduled for 2025, will send astronauts around the Moon, gathering vital data about spacecraft performance, life support systems, and the crew’s health in deep space.
Phase 2: Proving Ground
Phase 2 of NASA’s plan is where the Artemis program shines. Dubbed the “Proving Ground” phase, it involves developing technologies and systems that will allow astronauts to operate further away from Earth, particularly on the Moon, and prepare for long-duration missions to Mars.
One of the most significant milestones in this phase is Artemis 3, set for 2026. This mission will land astronauts on the Moon’s surface for the first time since 1972, marking a new era of lunar exploration. The mission will also test critical systems, including lunar habitats, life support systems, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), which will enable astronauts to extract resources like water from the lunar surface. These technologies will later be adapted for use on Mars.
NASA is also developing the Lunar Gateway, a space station that will orbit the Moon and serve as a staging point for deep space missions, including the eventual journey to Mars. The Gateway will act as a platform for research, habitation, and assembling spacecraft that will take astronauts to the Red Planet.
Phase 3: Earth Independent
The final phase of NASA’s Mars plan is to achieve “Earth Independence.” This means developing the technology and infrastructure necessary for astronauts to live and work on Mars without needing constant resupply missions from Earth. The experience gained from the Artemis missions will be critical in this phase.
Key technologies being tested now include life support systems and habitats that can support human life on Mars for extended periods. Another focus is on resource utilization, particularly extracting oxygen and water from the Martian environment. NASA’s Perseverance rover, currently operating on Mars, is already conducting experiments with its MOXIE instrument, which successfully converted Martian carbon dioxide into oxygen. These experiments are vital for future human missions, as they will allow astronauts to produce air and fuel from local resources.
The Artemis program plays a fundamental role in NASA’s plans to send humans to Mars. While its primary objective is to return humans to the Moon, Artemis is also a critical proving ground for technologies, systems, and procedures that will be used on Mars.
The Artemis 2 mission, set to launch in 2025, will be the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit in over 50 years. Its goal is to orbit the Moon and gather data on how humans fare in deep space. Following that, Artemis 3 will establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, testing out the habitats, tools, and technologies that will eventually be deployed on Mars.
The Gateway space station is another crucial element of the Artemis program that will support future Mars missions. By orbiting the Moon, Gateway provides a platform for research and assembly of spacecraft destined for Mars. It will also allow astronauts to practice operating in deep space environments, preparing them for the challenges of the longer journey to the Red Planet.
As NASA ramps up its efforts to reach Mars, simulations on Earth are playing a vital role in preparing astronauts for the challenges they will face. One of the most notable of these simulations is the CHAPEA mission, which began in 2023 and concluded in July 2024.
CHAPEA, or Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, involved four astronauts living in a simulated Mars habitat for over a year. This mission, conducted at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, was designed to study how astronauts might cope with the physical, psychological, and logistical challenges of a long-duration mission to Mars. The crew was isolated in a habitat that mimicked Martian conditions, with limited resources and delayed communication with mission control.
The insights gained from this mission will inform how NASA designs habitats, resource management systems, and crew operations for future Mars missions. It also highlighted the importance of psychological well-being and teamwork, both of which will be critical for the success of a Mars mission.
While NASA has made significant progress in its Mars mission, one of the biggest challenges remains: funding. Sending humans to Mars is an expensive undertaking, with estimates ranging from $500 billion to $1 trillion. Despite bipartisan support for space exploration, NASA will need continued investment and partnerships to make Mars a reality.
The commercial space industry will be key in overcoming these financial hurdles. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are already developing the spacecraft and technologies that could make deep space travel more affordable. SpaceX’s Starship has been designed with Mars in mind, capable of carrying large payloads and crew to the Red Planet. NASA’s collaboration with private companies will reduce costs, speed up development, and increase the likelihood of success.
Political will also plays a role in the success of these missions. While Mars exploration has broad support, there are competing priorities, such as Earth-focused missions and lunar exploration, that could impact the budget allocated to Mars missions. As NASA continues to navigate these challenges, strong leadership and collaboration with Congress will be essential.
NASA’s plans to land humans on Mars by the early 2030s are ambitious, but the agency is making steady progress. The upcoming Artemis 2 and Artemis 3 missions will provide critical data on how humans and systems perform in deep space, while ongoing experiments on the ISS and simulated Mars missions on Earth will help prepare astronauts for the challenges they will face on the Red Planet.
NASA remains committed to the timeline, but much depends on the success of these precursor missions, continued funding, and advancements in technology. While challenges remain—such as the health risks posed by deep space radiation, the long-term sustainability of habitats, and the political landscape—NASA’s vision of landing humans on Mars is no longer a distant fantasy. It’s a real possibility, and the next decade will be pivotal in turning that dream into reality.
NASA’s mission to Mars has evolved significantly since its early days, and the progress made by 2024 brings the dream of walking on the Red Planet within reach. Through a multi-phase approach that leverages the Moon as a steppingstone, partnerships with private industry, and groundbreaking research, NASA is laying the groundwork for the most ambitious space mission in history. As we approach the 2030s, the goal of landing humans on Mars seems not only achievable but inevitable.
Stay tuned—the next decade promises to be a groundbreaking era for space exploration, as NASA and its partners continue their journey toward Mars.
