Committee co-chaired by Prof. Dava Newman issues a new roadmap for human missions to Mars
On December 9, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a landmark report, A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars, laying out a comprehensive case for future crewed Mars missions. The report, authored by the Committee on a Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars that was co-chaired by Prof. Dava Newman, defines the highest-priority scientific objectives for humans on the Martian surface.
At the top of the list: searching for evidence of past or present life. “We’re searching for life on Mars,” said Newman in an interview with Ars Technica. “The answer to the question ‘are we alone?’ is always going to be ‘maybe,’ unless it becomes yes.”
The report identifies 11 top science goals for initial human missions, including biosignature/habitability experiments and water and CO₂ cycle studies, geology mapping, radiation monitoring, dust-storm research, and assessments of how Martian conditions affect humans and ecosystems.
The committee also looked at different types of exploration campaigns to allow for deep research while addressing the issue of planetary protection, a principle that aims to protect both the surface of the planet and astronauts from biological contamination. The report recommends that NASA “continue to collaborate on the evolution of planetary protection guidelines” to enable the extensive research that will allow NASA to achieve its scientific objectives.
Their findings indicate that the campaign most likely to be successful is an initial 30-day (or “sol,” a Martian day that lasts about 40 minutes longer than an Earth day) human landing, followed by an uncrewed cargo delivery to enable a longer 300-day crewed mission. The report also advocates for a crewed Mars surface laboratory.
Newman emphasized that the study is not just aspirational, but demonstrates a realistic, scientifically grounded path forward. “By imagining different ways that priority science could be pursued during actual human missions, our report shows there are many different options for humans to explore Mars and achieve great scientific breakthroughs,” she said. “Importantly, it also offers a synergistic review of science priorities enhanced by human exploration.”
The report concludes with a clear message about the importance of what lies ahead: “The first human landing on Mars will be the most significant chapter in human spaceflight since the Moon landing and will be an era of inspiration for generations to come. The United States will play a central role in bringing this era to fruition, and the challenge will be worthy of our greatest efforts.”
