Future exploration of Mars

Abstract

Scientific study of Mars after Viking will focus on the following areas: planetary formation from the solar nebula, internal development, interaction with its atmosphere and with the interplanetary medium, and biological history (if any). Four basic measurement modes are outlined to pursue these areas of investigation. They are: orbital, especially polar orbits with wide area surface, atmospheric, and magnetospheric studies; in situ, which include bio-, geo-, and meteorological surface ground stations; network, using separated ground stations and, possibly, RPV aircraft; and sample-return. Various vehicle concepts for the different study modes are described.