Revealed ! NASA 2030 Mars Home Setup Plan
Channel: Science Curiosity
Date: 01/03/2018

On October 8, 2015, NASA published its official plan for human exploration and colonization of Mars. The plan operates through three distinct phases leading up to fully sustained colonization. The first stage, already underway, is the "Earth Reliant" phase. This phase continues utilizing the International Space Station until 2024; validating deep space technologies and studying the effects of long duration space missions on the human body. The second stage, "Proving Ground," moves away from Earth reliance and ventures into cislunar space for most of its tasks. This is when NASA plans to capture an asteroid (planned for 2020), test deep space habitation facilities, and validate capabilities required for human exploration of Mars. Finally, phase three is the transition to independence from Earth resources. The "Earth Independent" phase includes long term missions on the lunar surface which leverage surface habitats that only require routine maintenance, and the harvesting of Martian resources for fuel, water, and building materials. NASA is still aiming for human missions to Mars in the 2030s, though Earth independence could take decades longer.

In November 2015, the administrator of NASA re-affirmed the goal of sending humans to Mars. He laid out 2030 as the date of a manned surface landing, and noted that planned 2020 Mars rover would be in support of the human mission. Also discussed was the use of robotics to prepare an underground habitat for the arriving people. He noted the advantages of living underground on Mars, especially that it eliminates the need to construct above ground shielding. Top surface activity was not excluded however, just that the crew would "probably live underground for the most part". Living underground on Mars offered many advantages in regards to human survivability. The underground base would be prepared in advance by an armada of robots, robotic precursors to human presence.

The Orion MPCV will serve as the launch/splashdown crew delivery vehicle, in combination with a Deep Space Habitat module, which will provide additional living-space for the crew on the 16-month-long journey from Earth to Mars and back. The first manned Mars Mission, which will include sending astronauts to Mars, orbiting Mars, and a return to Earth, is currently scheduled for the 2030s.