Pioneering Mars Exploration: Defining Science and Technological Priorities for the First Human Missions

More than half a century of robotic exploration has transformed Mars from a distant red point of light into a dynamic, complex world with an over 4-billion-year geological record, widespread evidence of past water activity, and remnants of an atmosphere capable of supporting habitable conditions. Recent scientific breakthroughs — including the detection of a diverse array of organic molecules in the sedimentary rocks in Gale and Jezero Craters, observations of transient surface hydration, and measurements of atmospheric escape — have revolutionized our understanding of the Red Planet’s evolution. Yet, key questions remain unresolved: Did life ever emerge on Mars? Does it persist underground? What climatic processes drove its transition from a warm, wet world to the cold, desiccated planet we observe today? By integrating science and technological advances from space agencies with the capabilities of commercial, academic, and nonprofit partners, a new space ecosystem is emerging to prepare for humanity’s first steps on Mars and address challenges for the next generation of missions.

This Research Topic invites contributions aligned with the vision set out in the National Academies report “A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars”, which sets out priority science goals for the first three crewed landings.
We welcome original research, reviews, perspectives, and methods papers addressing any of the eleven prioritized objectives and five cross-cutting themes: Life: Past and Present; Life: Habitability; Climate; Human Experience and Habitation; Technologies Enabling Future Missions.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Biosignature detection and prebiotic chemistry beneath the Martian surface
• Characterization of volatile reservoirs, including water and CO₂ cycles and isotopic tracing
• Geological context, stratigraphy, and chronology of ancient environments
• Atmospheric dynamics, dust activity, and climate reconstruction
• Planetary protection strategies for human missions and sample return
• Radiation exposure, biological responses, and human health countermeasures
• In situ resource utilization (ISRU) for life support and fuel production
• Interfaces between robotic and human science operations
• Design and optimization of surface laboratories and analytical instruments
• Integration of public, commercial, and international partnerships for Mars infrastructure.

Contributions that build on findings from Curiosity, Perseverance, and current orbiters, and that anticipate science from ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover — scheduled to launch in 2028— are particularly encouraged. Given the scale and complexity of crewed Mars campaigns, we also welcome work that articulates pathways for engaging the private sector and commercial industry partners in delivering infrastructure, mobility, ISRU, analytical, and life-support capabilities. Together, these contributions will help shape an ambitious yet achievable scientific roadmap for the first human chapter of Mars exploration.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Mars, Biosignature detection, Volatile reservoirs, Atmospheric dynamics, Radiation exposure, Dust, Prebiotic chemistry, Human exploration

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.