Before any rocket launches, mission planners must define clear goals. Common objectives for Mars Exploration include:
The heavier the payload (rovers, habitats, or fuel), the more powerful the rocket must be to escape Earth's gravity. Mission to Mars
Determining if Mars ever supported microbial life. Before any rocket launches, mission planners must define
Mapping the surface minerals and understanding the planet's internal structure. Before any rocket launches
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
Using current chemical propulsion, the one-way journey typically takes 7 to 9 months . 3. The Martian Environment Challenges