Mars Exploration Program (MEP)

The Mars Exploration Program (MEP) is a long-term endeavor led and funded by NASA, initiated in 1993, aimed at exploring Mars through a series of orbital spacecraft, landers, and rovers [[citation:1]](https://app.thebrain.com/brain/4592ca49-8f5c-4485-b47e-06a29791feae/5b63bf5b-444a-40e3-aa6e-3bc5b22c05d3).

This program is science-driven, focusing on key strategic goals:

• investigating whether Mars ever had the capacity to support life,
• understanding the planet's geology and climate, and
• preparing for future human exploration [citation:2][citation:3].

The MEP embraces a systemic approach, making use of various missions that collectively advance our understanding of Mars. This includes studying the planet's surface, atmosphere, and potential water ice resources, which are crucial for future human missions [citation:2][citation:4]. Notable missions under this program include the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, which aims to search for signs of ancient life and collect samples for possible return to Earth, and the MAVEN mission, which studies Mars' atmosphere to understand climate change [citation:1][citation:10].

Additionally, the program continually prepares for the future by driving new scientific discoveries and technology developments. These efforts are aimed at ensuring that when humans eventually set foot on Mars, they will be well-equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary for sustained exploration [citation:3][citation:10].