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.
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
Testing technologies for landing large payloads and surviving the harsh environment. 2. Launch Logistics
Determining if Mars ever supported microbial life. Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months
Using current chemical propulsion, the one-way journey typically takes 7 to 9 months . 3. The Martian Environment Challenges
Getting to Mars requires overcoming massive gravitational and orbital hurdles: Common objectives for Mars Exploration include: The heavier
Mars is a hostile environment that dictates how equipment and habitats are designed: Mars - NASA Science