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TA1 Launch Propulsion Systems TA2 In-space propulsion technologies TA3 Space power and energy storage TA4 Robotics and autonomous systems TA5 Communications navigation and orbital debris tracking and characterization systems TA6 Human health life support and habitation systems TA7 Human exploration destination systems TA8 Science instruments observatories and sensor systems TA9 Entry descent and landing systems TA10 Nanotechnology TA11 Modeling simulations information technology and processing TA12 materials structures mechanical systems and manufacturing TA13 Ground and launch systems TA14 Thermal management systems TA15 Aeronautics

NASA developing technology roadmaps for building a Mars colony

Two out of three missions to the red planet have failed. One reason there have been so many losses is that there have been so many attempts. “Mars is a favorite target,” says Dr. Firouz Naderi, manager of the Mars Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To get there, Spirit and Opportunity, the two Mars Exploration Rovers launched this past June and July, will have to fly through about 483 million kilometers (300 million miles) of deep space and target a very precise spot to land. Adjustments to their flight paths can be made along the way, but a small trajectory error can result in a big detour and or even missing the planet completely.

 

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