Mars Exploration Program Future Plan

Did you know?

The Astrobiology Program and the Mars Exploration Program (MEP) work closely together at NASA Headquarters. Recently, MEP released the MEP Future Plan, which lays out the next 20 years of robotic exploration at Mars, and includes as one of its science themes "Exploring the Potential for Martian Life."

Additionally, the Astrobiology Program and MEP have worked with MEPAG to support the Search for Life Science Analysis Group (SFL-SAG), which is chartered to refine the recommendation for a ‘Search for Life’ mission in the Decadal Survey by identifying the specific science and technology needs for a mission to an ice-rich, mid-latitude site, and should seek to identify mission elements that will offer the most conclusive answers to the question of ‘Are we alone?’

The Plan provides guidance and priorities for the next 20 years (2024–2044) of MEP’s science and robotic efforts and its role in achieving the nation’s ambitions at Mars.

For those in the astrobiology and Mars communities internal to NASA: check out the recent posting on the internal NASA Talent Marketplace for Mars Sample Return Campaign Deputy Program Scientist and Mars Exploration Program Deputy Program Scientist.