## 1 Introduction  
The potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in space exploration has been demonstrated [1] through technological advancements in satellite communications, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. A new extension of IoT, the Internet of Space Things (IoT), has been developed. It utilizes small satellites like nanosatellites [2] in low Earth orbit (LEO) to offer global coverage in space [3, 4], along with significantly more flexible network access services [4]. These satellites are low-cost and have a simplified design, which has allowed for the development of new applications and services in space, such as earth observation and technological demonstrations, with the most widespread applications being related to the telecommunications domain [5]. As the interest in deep space exploration grows, planning large-scale space missions and formulating space architecture has become essential. Both public space agencies and private companies [6] have announced plans for Mars exploration in the coming years. Initially, missions were based on communication systems limited in bandwidth and transmission time [7]. However, in recent decades, new technologies have been implemented, such as autonomous rovers equipped with cameras and sensors for atmospheric and geological research [8], including drones, to improve and expand exploration areas [9]. In this context, small satellite constellations are already beginning to be used [10], significantly extending the coverage and simplifying the acquisition of measurements in various locations on the planet. This could enable the deployment of constellations in planetary orbit, facilitating IoT communications with sensors on the surface [11], similar to how the deployment is handled on Earth. In this context, recent research lines on the massive deployment of IoT devices, as illustrated in [12], may apply to Martian exploration through the extensive deployment of IoT devices on the Martian surface. Authors in [12] discussed the enhancement of the efficiency in massive IoT systems using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs). This study proposes the integration of mixed analog-digital converters (ADCs) to optimize system performance and hardware load, accompanied by a nonlinear theoretical analysis that addresses channel estimation and activity detection based on Bayesian theory for massive deployments. Furthermore, research on sixth generation (6G) networks, as presented in [13], should be considered for future networks, providing a comprehensive overview of channel modelling and feature analysis. In the exploration of Mars with IoT, various architectures that can be deployed are presented, each with their limitations and considerations, as in [14]. These architectures can vary in terms of the communication technology used, the arrangement of IoT nodes and satellites, and the integration with interplanetary communications systems. It is essential to develop reliable and efficient communications, considering options such as using low-power wide area network (LPWAN) technologies and optimizing coverage and data processing capacity. Good architectural design is essential to ensure the viability of deployments in complex planetary environments such as Mars [15]. Significant aspects to consider include the transmission distance, the message processing capacity of the satellites, the communication frequency, the configuration of the satellite constellation, the revisit and visibility times of the IoT nodes with the satellites, and interplanetary communications between Mars and Earth. However, studying these architectures and communications is still challenging and requires implementing specific architectures for future Mars exploration [15]. In this context, the study aims to establish a reference architecture for using satellite constellations in Mars orbit and evaluate the feasibility of IoT communications.