HUMAN EXPLORATION OF MARS: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR SUSTAINABLE PRESENCE

Notice

This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Ms. Shivani,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Ludhiana Group of Colleges, Chaukimann, Punjab, India

Abstract

Human goals to Mars signify one of the most ambitious aims of present space exploration. While robotic missions have considerably extended our knowledge of the Martian atmosphere, sending humans to Mars proposes an extensive range of difficult hardships that must be tackled before such missions can become a reality. This review paper examines the most significant technical, biological, psychological, and logistical challenges associated with human exploration of Mars. The most significant challenges imposed include long- duration spaceflight, the effects of cosmic radiation, the reliability of life support systems, spacecraft propulsion systems, entry, descent, and landing systems, as well as the psychological implications of isolation and confinement on the crew. This paper also examines the current approaches and developing technologies being developed to overcome these challenges, such as novel guarding approaches, in-situ resource utilization, and habitat development. Through the development of new knowledge from current literature, this review paper offers an integrated summary of the serious challenges to human missions to Mars and the progress being made to overcome them. The information provided in this paper aids to provide a complete understanding of what is mandatory to attain supportable human existence on Mars, for future interplanetary missions and sustainable extraterrestrial human civilization development.

Keywords: Human missions to Mars, Long-duration spaceflight, Radiation hazards, Life support systems, Mars habitation

How to cite this article:
Ms. Shivani. HUMAN EXPLORATION OF MARS: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR SUSTAINABLE PRESENCE. Research & Reviews : Journal of Space Science & Technology. 2026; 15(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Ms. Shivani. HUMAN EXPLORATION OF MARS: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR SUSTAINABLE PRESENCE. Research & Reviews : Journal of Space Science & Technology. 2026; 15(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjosst/article=2026/view=245678


References

  1. McCollom TM. The habitability of Mars: past and present. InSolar system update 2006 Aug 23 (pp. 159-175). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.
  2. Price H, Baker J, Naderi F. A minimal architecture for human journeys to Mars. New Space. 2015 Jun 1;3(2):73-81.
  3. Price H, Baker J, Naderi F. A minimal architecture for human journeys to Mars. New Space. 2015 Jun 1;3(2):73-81.
  4. Braun RD, Manning RM. Mars exploration entry, descent and landing challenges. In2006 IEEE Aerospace Conference 2006 Mar 4 (pp. 18-pp). IEEE.
  5. Cucinotta FA, Durante M. Cancer risk from exposure to galactic cosmic rays: implications for space exploration by human beings. The lancet oncology. 2006 May 1;7(5):431-5.
  6. Cucinotta FA, Kim MH, Chappell LJ. Space radiation cancer risk projections and uncertainties-2010. 2011 Jul 1.
  7. Drake BG, Hoffman SJ, Beaty DW. Human exploration of Mars, design reference architecture 5.0. In2010 IEEE aerospace conference 2010 Mar 6 (pp. 1-24). IEEE.
  8. Guang Z, Hanyu Z, Qiuqiu W, Bin L. Relative motion and thrust estimation of a non-cooperative maneuvering target with adaptive filter. Acta Astronautica. 2019 Sep 1;162:98-108.
  9. Horneck G, Klaus DM, Mancinelli RL. Space microbiology. Microbiology and molecular biology reviews. 2010 Mar;74(1):121-56.
  10. Kanas N, Sandal GM, Boyd JE, Gushin VI, Manzey D, North R, Leon GR, Suedfeld P, Bishop SL, Fiedler ER, Inoue N. Psychology and culture during long-duration space missions. InOn orbit and beyond: Psychological perspectives on human spaceflight 2012 Oct 21 (pp. 153-184). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
  11. Ollongren A. Processes in Lingua Cosmica. Acta Astronautica. 2012 Feb 1;71:170-2.
  12. Lotto MA, Klaus DM, Hynek BM. Operational Conditions and In Situ Resources for Mars Surface Exploration. New Space. 2018 Dec 1;6(4):320-34.
  13. Rapp D. Landing Site Selection for the First Human Mission to Mars. Igmin Research. 2026 Feb 9;4(2):06-75.
  14. Shah J. Report to the President for year ended June 30, 2024, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
  15. Mcphee JC, Charles JB. Human health and performance risks of space exploration missions. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 2009 May;398.
  16. Annavarapu RN. Human Mars Exploration and Expedition Challenges. arXiv preprint arXiv:2103.11213. 2021 Mar 20.
  17. Patel ZS, Brunstetter TJ, Tarver WJ, Whitmire AM, Zwart SR, Smith SM, Huff JL. Red risks for a journey to the red planet: The highest priority human health risks for a mission to Mars. npj Microgravity. 2020 Nov 5;6(1):33.
  18. Starr SO, Muscatello AC. Mars in situ resource utilization: a review. Planetary and Space Science. 2020 Mar 1;182:104824.
  19. Portree DS. Humans to Mars: fifty years of mission planning, 1950-2000. National Aeronautics and Space Administration; 2001 Feb 1.
  20. Kim HK, Feng GS, Chen D, King PD, Kamiya N. Targeted disruption of Shp2 in chondrocytes leads to metachondromatosis with multiple cartilaginous protrusions. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2014 Mar 1;29(3):761-9.
  21. Zubrin R. Case for mars. Simon and Schuster; 2011 Jun 28.

Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
02
Received 22/05/2026
Accepted 26/05/2026
Published 02/06/2026
Publication Time 11 Days


Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics