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Future of Space Exploration

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Future of Space Exploration

You are part of a planning team for a future crewed mission to Mars. Read the briefing, examine the mission timeline, then solve the challenges. Use evidence from the information provided and your science knowledge.

Mission briefing: What will it take to explore Mars?

Robotic spacecraft already explore the Solar System. A NASA rover is studying Mars, while the Artemis programme is preparing for human exploration of the Moon. The Moon can help scientists practise living and working away from Earth before longer journeys. A crewed trip to Mars would take many months each way, so astronauts would need reliable food, water, air, power and protection. Mars has a very thin atmosphere, mostly carbon dioxide, and its surface pressure is far too low for people to breathe safely. Mars is colder than Earth on average, has lower gravity, and has limited accessible liquid water. Dust storms can reduce sunlight reaching solar panels. Future habitats could recycle water, grow some food in controlled environments, and use strong walls or covered spaces to protect people from radiation and dust. Robots can explore dangerous places first, helping people choose where to go and what to study. Space exploration can lead to new scientific discoveries and useful technologies. It also raises questions: how can missions avoid contaminating other worlds with Earth microbes, and how should people make decisions about using resources beyond Earth?

Stage 1 Robotic exploration

Stage 2 Moon practice

Stage 3 Mars preparation

Part A: Understand the challenges

Use the briefing to answer each question.

1.Which space agency operates the rover currently studying Mars?

NASA
ESA
JAXA
CNSA

2.Why can the Moon be useful practice before a crewed journey to Mars?

3.Choose the two conditions that make Mars difficult for people to live on without protection.

Its atmosphere is very thin and not safe to breathe
It has lower gravity than Earth
It is always hotter than 100°C
It has oceans covering most of its surface

4.A dust storm reduces the sunlight reaching a Mars base. Name one problem this could cause and one way planners could reduce the risk.

Part B: Plan a safer mission

Think like a member of the Mars planning team.

5.Which system would most directly help astronauts grow food inside a Mars habitat?

A controlled-environment greenhouse
A deep-space radio transmitter
A solar sail
A telescope

6.Give two reasons robots are useful before humans explore a dangerous place on Mars.

7.A habitat team can improve only one system first: water recycling, a larger viewing window, or decorative lighting. Which should they prioritise for survival, and why?

8.What does it mean to avoid contaminating Mars with Earth microbes, and why might this matter to scientists?

9.Name one possible benefit of space exploration for people on Earth, and explain how it could help.

10.Write a short recommendation to the mission team: which preparation should come first—robotic exploration, Moon practice, or habitat testing? Give one reason based on the mission briefing.

11.Sketch a Mars habitat plan. Include and label a protected living area, a food-growing area, and a power source. Add one feature that helps save or recycle water.

Use the space to sketch and label your plan.