Technologies That Enable Mars Exploration
Technology development makes missions possible. Each Mars mission is part of a continuing chain of innovation: each relies on past missions for new technologies and contributes its own innovations to future missions. This chain allows NASA to continue to push the boundaries of what is currently possible, while relying on proven technologies as well.
Technologies of Broad Benefit
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Propulsionfor providing the energy to get to Mars and conduct long-term studies
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Powerfor providing more efficient and increased electricity to the spacecraft and its subsystems
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Telecommunicationsfor sending commands and receiving data faster and in greater amounts
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Avionicselectronics for operating the spacecraft and its subsystems
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Software Engineeringfor providing the computing and commands necessary to operate the spacecraft and its subsystems
In-situ Exploration and Sample Return
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Entry, Descent, and Landingfor ensuring precise and safe landings
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Autonomous Planetary Mobilityfor enabling rovers, airplanes, and balloons to make decisions and avoid hazards on their own
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Technologies for Severe Environmentsfor making systems robust enough to handle extreme conditions in space and on Mars
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Sample Return Technologiesfor collecting and returning rock, soil, and atmospheric samples back to Earth for further laboratory analysis
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Planetary Protection Technologiesfor cleaning and sterilizing spacecraft and handling soil, rock, and atmospheric samples
Science Instruments
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Remote Science Instrumentationfor collecting Mars data from orbit
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In-Situ Instrumentationfor collecting Mars data from the surface