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NASA wants to send a manned mission to Mars in the 2030s, aiming to unravel some of the Red Planet's most intriguing geological mysteries.

Published 11/10/2024 às 09:15
NASA, Mars
Photo: Reproduction

The manned mission to Mars, planned by NASA for the 2030s, promises to explore and unravel the geological secrets of the Red Planet.

NASA has ambitious plans to send humans on a round trip to Mars as early as the 2030s, with the aim of unlocking some of the mysteries geological and atmospherics of the Red Planet.

This historic mission, which could run until 2035, will be a milestone in scientific exploration, allowing astronauts to more closely investigate fundamental questions about the formation and evolution of Mars.

The mission should last between six and seven months for each route, covering a distance of up to 250 million miles (approximately 402 million kilometers) in every direction.

Astronauts will spend up to 500 days on the surface of Mars before returning to Earth, providing an unprecedented opportunity for scientific studies in-depth.

Preparation for Mars begins with the Moon

NASA, Mars
An elongated crater called “Spirit of St. Louis,” with a tower of rock in it, dominates a recent scene from the panoramic camera (Pancam) on NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell University/Arizona State University

Part of NASA's preparations involves the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon this decade.

Returning to the Moon is an essential step for astronauts to prepare for the longer and more complex journey to Mars.

The Artemis III mission, scheduled for 2026, will take humans to the lunar south pole, where they will be able to explore the surface and establish habitats. In addition, astronauts will train in survival and exploration techniques in harsh conditions. extreme, fundamental for the future mission loving You.

The Artemis program is crucial to the success of the Martian mission, as it will allow NASA to test new technologies, such as the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft, which were successfully launched in November 2022. These tests pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet.

Martian Geology: A Planet with Secrets

NASA, Mars
The average distance between Earth and Mars, the two planets, is 140 million miles (225 million km). The distance between the two planets affects the time it would take to travel between the two. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

The surface of Mars, already studied by several robotic missions, still holds many mysteries that only a manned mission can unravel.

The Red Planet, which formed about 4,6 billion years ago along with the rest of the solar system, was once very similar to Earth.

About 3,8 billion years ago, Mars had vast bodies of liquid water, such as oceans, rivers and lakes, as well as a thicker atmosphere.

Today, Mars is a frozen desert, with its polar ice caps covered in ice. waterua and carbon dioxide.

Scientists believe that understanding how the planet lost its water and atmosphere could provide valuable insights into the formation of the solar system and even the possibility of life beyond Earth.

The manned mission would investigate key questions such as the existence of life, past or present, and the reasons why Mars became the arid planet we know.

The northern and southern hemispheres of Mars have significant geological differences. The northern plains are relatively smooth and have fewer craters, while the southern highlands are pockmarked with deep, ancient craters.

Mars is also home to the largest volcanoes in the solar system and a multitude of craters caused by asteroid impacts, making the planet a true laboratory for scientific research.

Essential questions for a manned mission

NASA is already drawing up plans to answer key scientific questions on Mars. A panel of experts, called the Human Exploration of Mars Science Analysis Group, has been created to define the questions a manned mission should investigate.

The central issues include: Is there life on Mars today? E What environmental changes caused the planet to lose its water and part of its atmosphere?

These questions, along with other recommendations from the panel, are part of NASA's architectural plan for the mission. A human presence on Mars could provide more detailed and precise answers, helping to clarify geological and atmospheric aspects that remain unclear.

The road to Mars

To send humans to Mars, NASA is developing robust and innovative technologies. The Space Launch System (SLS) and the capsule Orion are fundamental pieces of this plan. These vehicles were already tested during the Artemis I mission, which orbited the Moon in an unmanned flight in 2022.

The Moon, located just 240.000 miles (386.000 kilometers) from Earth, will be used as a training ground for the mission to Mars.

Artemis astronauts will live and work for extended periods on the lunar surface, honing their skills and testing technologies that will be crucial to survival on Mars.

Although a manned mission to the Red Planet is still a few years away, preparations are underway. full swing.

Each step forward in the Artemis program brings humanity closer to taking the next great leap in space exploration and unlocking the mysteries of Mars, a planet that may have once harbored life and that continues to challenge scientists with the secrets hidden deep in its geological history.

This mission will not only be a technological and scientific feat, but also a milestone for humanity, expanding our understanding of the universe and the role that Mars may have played a role in the formation of the solar system and, potentially, in the history of life.

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Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide range of topics, such as technology, politics, shipbuilding, geopolitics, renewable energy and economics. I have been working since 2015 with prominent publications in major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10 thousand articles published in renowned media outlets, I always seek to bring detailed information and relevant insights to the reader. For story suggestions or any questions, please contact me by email at flclucas@hotmail.com.

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