NASA's space agency plans its current research campaign to focus on a transformational approach that includes developing technologies and systems that will turn into reality a series of human and robotic lunar missions that can be expanded to Mars. Information about this was presented today on the official NASA website.
The moon is a fundamental part of the past and future of the Earth – an extraterrestrial continent that can contain valuable resources to support space activities and is a treasure trove of scientific treasures that can tell us more about our own planet. Despite the fact that the Americans first came to the surface almost 50 years ago, the researchers left footprints in only six places, staying on the surface for a total of 16 days. The next wave of lunar exploration will be fundamentally different.
NASA plans to base Americans in the orbit of the moon starting in 2023, and landing astronauts on the satellite's surface no later than the late 2020s. This will be the first chance for most people living today to witness the landing on the moon – the moment when the whole world holds its breath in fear and amazement. However, the Americans are not going to stop there.
A key component of establishing the first permanent American presence and infrastructure on and around the Moon is the Gateway, a lunar orbital platform to place astronauts at a record distance from Earth. America and its partners will prepare for deep space transit, test new technologies and systems on the Gateway orbiter
As for Mars, the first landing of man on this planet will be the achievement of all mankind. Key components of the research campaign are already underway and include an extended human space flight on the space station, the development of advanced life support systems, and the continuation of the exploration of this world through space missions.
Today NASA continues to lead the way in robotic research on and around Mars. The InSight mission is currently en route to Mars and will land in November to study the inner structure of the Red Planet. The development of the next rover is underway, it is planned to launch it in July 2020.
Scientists are confident that the route of the Mars 2020 mission will help them find signs of a past life and demonstrate the possibility of producing fuel and other resources that will allow humans to settle on and explore the Red Planet. NASA engineers also plan to use this mission as a building block for a follow-up mission in which the robot will have to collect samples and return to Earth. In their opinion, this mission should become the predecessor of a whole series of missions to Mars, planned for the early 2030s, during which a man will land on the surface of Mars.
