Mission To Mars Guide

Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months . This alignment, known as "opposition," minimizes the fuel needed for the roughly 300-million-mile trip.

Mars is a hostile environment that dictates how equipment and habitats are designed: Mars - NASA Science Mission to Mars

Testing technologies for landing large payloads and surviving the harsh environment. 2. Launch Logistics Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months

Studying the history and current state of the Martian atmosphere. known as "opposition

The heavier the payload (rovers, habitats, or fuel), the more powerful the rocket must be to escape Earth's gravity.

Before any rocket launches, mission planners must define clear goals. Common objectives for Mars Exploration include: