National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

MOON TO MARS
OBJECTIVES
SEPTEMBER 2022

1 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

Moon To Mars Objectives
September 2022

CONTENTS
Foreword ........................................................ 3
Background .................................................... 4
Recurring Tenets ............................................. 5
Science ....................................................... 6-8
Infrastructure .................................................. 9
Transportation & Habitation ............................ 10
Operations .................................................... 11
Glossary of Terms .......................................... 12

2 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

FOREWORD
I am pleased to share NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives, and wish to
acknowledge the individuals, companies, academic institutions, international
space agencies, and our very own workforce, who contributed thousands of
inputs to enhance them.

This kind of collaboration is critical to our exploration success as an

unparalleled development effort is ahead of us. Never has humanity
endeavored to simultaneously architect multinational infrastructures in lunar
orbit, on the lunar surface, and at Mars — all while maintaining high-
demand government and private-sector operations in low-Earth orbit. What
an incredible time to be a part of human spaceflight, and NASA.

Our first draft of the Moon to Mars Objectives were intentionally broad, and
the overwhelming responses we received encouraged us to be even broader
in some areas, yet more specific in others. We grew from 50 objectives to
63, spanning multidisciplinary science, transportation and habitation, lunar
and Martian infrastructure, operations, and a new domain: recurring tenets. NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy

These objectives provide the connective tissue between deep space

human exploration destinations and the capabilities required to accomplish our goals at the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We
will continue to revisit our objectives in the years ahead as our architecture matures, new knowledge and technological
capabilities emerge, and more stakeholders come to the table.

I appreciate the positive energy from everyone who has engaged in this effort thus far, and NASA remains committed to
transparency in our exploration plans. I look forward to future collaborations as we push human exploration farther into the
solar system than ever before.

Pam Melroy
Deputy Administrator
NASA

3 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

BACKGROUND
The purpose of NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives effort is to develop and document an objectives-based approach to its human
deep space exploration efforts. In contrast to a capabilities-based approach, an objectives-based approach focuses on the big
picture, the “what” and “why” of what NASA should be doing in terms of deep space exploration before prescribing the “how”
(e.g., a specific launch vehicle, technology, or acquisition approach).

Senior leaders and staff from each of NASA’s mission directorates worked over the past several months to develop this final set
of objectives, which incorporate inputs gathered from U.S. industry and academia, international partner space agencies, NASA
Center leadership, and the NASA workforce via written input and two in-person workshops conducted in the summer of 2022.
These workshops were held in Houston for U.S. industry and academia and in London for our international partners. This refined
set of objectives also addresses gaps from NASA’s internal analysis on its 50 initial objectives carried out in the spring.

The methodology for the Moon to Mars Objectives is guided by five inter-related principles:

OBJECTIVE-BASED APPROACH
• Know your goal up front (the “what”) and create an integrated plan to achieve it.

ARCHITECT FROM THE RIGHT / EXECUTE FROM THE LEFT

• Work backwards from the defined goal to establish the complete set of elements that will be required for success.
• Execute development of all elements in regular fashion, integrating as you move right according to the established architecture.

CONSTANCY OF PURPOSE
• Stick with the Plan: once documented, the goal, top-level objectives, and overall plan should be clear and remain consistent
over time.

UNITY OF PURPOSE
• Everyone (inside and outside the Agency) should understand and be able to articulate the vision, goals, and objectives.

ENHANCED COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT

• The lifeblood that drives the reinforcing cycle of the other principles, and promotes political resilience.
• Raise public awareness and support for Moon to Mars activities through robust outreach and engagement efforts.
• Collaborate with international partners, industry, and academia to achieve common goals and objectives.
• Engage NASA workforce continuously to promote understanding of the plan, sustain awareness of respective roles, and
solicit feedback.

While retaining our focus on mission success for the Artemis Campaign today, our Moon to Mars Objectives ensure we have a
comprehensive framework in place that supports all of our exploration goals in the future. These objectives will guide the success
of NASA’s exploration strategy through the return of astronauts to the Moon, continued lunar science and exploration, and all the
way to the first crewed landings on Mars, with the associated science and technology development required to achieve them
along the way. Additionally, NASA will measure our progress toward achieving our Moon to Mars Objectives and periodically
update them as the Artemis Campaign and future efforts evolve. In the end, this will ensure our basic approach remains the same
regardless of where the frontier lies: creating an objectives-based blueprint for the sustained human exploration of deep space.

4 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

RECURRING TENETS
Common Themes Across Objectives

RT-1: International Collaboration: partner with international community to achieve common goals and objectives.

RT-2: Industry Collaboration: partner with U.S. industry to achieve common goals and objectives.

RT-3: Crew Return: return crews safely to Earth while mitigating adverse impacts to crew health.

Crew Time: maximize crew time available for science and engineering activities within planned mission
RT-4:
durations.
Maintainability and Reuse: when practical, design systems for maintainability, reuse, and/or recycling to
RT-5:
support the long-term sustainability of operations and increase Earth independence.
Responsible Use: conduct all activities for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes
RT-6:
consistent with international obligations, and principles for responsible behavior in space.
Interoperability: enable interoperability and commonality (technical, operations and process standards) among
RT-7:
systems, elements, and crews throughout the campaign.

RT-8: Leverage Low-Earth Orbit: leverage infrastructure in low-Earth orbit to support Moon to Mars activities.
Commerce and Space Development: foster the expansion of the economic sphere beyond Earth orbit to
RT-9: support U.S. industry and innovation.

5 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

SCIENCE OBJECTIVES
Lunar and Planetary
Heliophysics

Lunar/Planetary Science (LPS) Goal: Address high priority planetary science questions that are best accomplished by on-site
human explorers on and around the Moon and Mars, aided by surface and orbiting robotic systems.

Uncover the record of solar system origin and early history, by determining how and when planetary bodies
formed and differentiated, characterizing the impact chronology of the inner solar system as recorded on
LPS-1 :
LM
the Moon and Mars, and characterize how impact rates in the inner solar system have changed over time as
recorded on the Moon and Mars.
Advance understanding of the geologic processes that affect planetary bodies by determining the interior
LPS-2LM: structures, characterizing the magmatic histories, characterizing ancient, modern, and evolution of
atmospheres/exospheres, and investigating how active processes modify the surfaces of the Moon and Mars.
Reveal inner solar system volatile origin and delivery processes by determining the age, origin, distribution,
LPS-3LM:
abundance, composition, transport, and sequestration of lunar and Martian volatiles.
Advance understanding of the origin of life in the solar system by identifying where and when potentially
habitable environments exist(ed), what processes led to their formation, how planetary environments and
LPS-4M: habitable conditions have co-evolved over time, and whether there is evidence of past or present life in the
solar system beyond Earth.

Heliophysics Science (HS) Goal: Address high priority heliophysics science and space weather questions that are best
accomplished using a combination of human explorers and robotic systems at the Moon, at Mars, and in deep space.

Improve understanding of space weather phenomena to enable enhanced observation and prediction of the
HS-1LM:
dynamic environment from space to the surface at the Moon and Mars.
HS-2LM: Determine the history of the Sun and solar system as recorded in the lunar and Martian regolith.
Investigate and characterize fundamental plasma processes, including dust-plasma interactions, using the
HS-3LM:
cislunar, near-Mars, and surface environments as laboratories.
Improve understanding of magnetotail and pristine solar wind dynamics in the vicinity of the Moon and around
HS-4LM:
Mars.

Superscript text indicates the applicability to Lunar (L), Martian (M) or both (LM).

6 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

SCIENCE OBJECTIVES
Human and Biological
Physics and Physical

Human and Biological Science (HBS) Goal: Advance understanding of how biology responds to the environments of the
Moon, Mars, and deep space to advance fundamental knowledge, support safe, productive human space missions and
reduce risks for future exploration.

Understand the effects of short- and long-duration exposure to the environments of the Moon, Mars,
HBS-1LM:  and deep space on biological systems and health, using humans, model organisms, systems of human
physiology, and plants.
Evaluate and validate progressively Earth-independent crew health & performance systems and operations
HBS-2LM:
with mission durations representative of Mars-class missions.
Characterize and evaluate how the interaction of exploration systems and the deep space environment
HBS-3LM:
affect human health, performance, and space human factors to inform future exploration-class missions

Physics and Physical Science (PPS) Goal: Address high priority physics and physical science questions that are best
accomplished by using unique attributes of the lunar environment.

Conduct astrophysics and fundamental physics investigations of space and time from the radio quiet
PPS-1L:
environment of the lunar far side.
Advance understanding of physical systems and fundamental physics by utilizing the unique environments
PPS-2LM:
of the Moon, Mars, and deep space.

7 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

SCIENCE OBJECTIVES
Science-Enabling
Applied

Science-Enabling (SE) Goal: Develop integrated human and robotic methods and advanced techniques that enable high-priority
scientific questions to be addressed around and on the Moon and Mars.

Provide in-depth, mission-specific science training for astronauts to enable crew to perform high-priority or
SE-1LM:
transformational science on the surface of the Moon, and Mars, and in deep space.
Enable Earth-based scientists to remotely support astronaut surface and deep space activities using advanced
SE-2LM:
techniques and tools.
Develop the capability to retrieve core samples of frozen volatiles from permanently shadowed regions on the
SE-3LM: Moon and volatile-bearing sites on Mars and to deliver them in pristine states to modern curation facilities on
Earth.
Return representative samples from multiple locations across the surface of the Moon and Mars, with sample
SE-4LM:
mass commensurate with mission-specific science priorities.
Use robotic techniques to survey sites, conduct in-situ measurements, and identify/stockpile samples in
SE-5LM: advance of and concurrent with astronaut arrival, to optimize astronaut time on the lunar and Martian surface
and maximize science return.
Enable long-term, planet-wide research by delivering science instruments to multiple science-relevant orbits
SE-6LM:
and surface locations at the Moon and Mars.
Preserve and protect representative features of special interest, including lunar permanently shadowed regions
SE-7LM: and the radio quiet far side as well as Martian recurring slope lineae, to enable future high-priority science
investigations.

Applied Science (AS) Goal: Conduct science on the Moon, in cislunar space, and around and on Mars using integrated human
and robotic methods and advanced techniques, to inform design and development of exploration systems and enable safe
operations.
Characterize and monitor the contemporary environments of the lunar and Martian surfaces and orbits,
AS-1 :
LM
including investigations of micrometeorite flux, atmospheric weather, space weather, space weathering, and
dust, to plan, support, and monitor safety of crewed operations in these locations.
Coordinate on-going and future science measurements from orbital and surface platforms to optimize human-
AS-2LM:
led science campaigns on the Moon and Mars.
Characterize accessible lunar and Martian resources, gather scientific research data, and analyze potential
AS-3LM: reserves to satisfy science and technology objectives and enable In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) on
successive missions.
Conduct applied scientific investigations essential for the development of bioregenerative-based, ecological life
AS-4LM:
support systems
Define crop plant species, including methods for their productive growth, capable of providing sustainable and
AS-5LM:
nutritious food sources for lunar, Deep Space transit, and Mars habitation.
Advance understanding of how physical systems and fundamental physical phenomena are affected by partial
AS-6LM:
gravity, microgravity, and general environment of the Moon, Mars, and deep space transit.

8 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTIVES
Lunar
Mars

Lunar Infrastructure (LI) Goal: Create an interoperable global lunar utilization infrastructure where U.S. industry and
international partners can maintain continuous robotic and human presence on the lunar surface for a robust lunar economy
without NASA as the sole user, while accomplishing science objectives and testing for Mars.

Develop an incremental lunar power generation and distribution system that is evolvable to support continuous
LI-1L:
robotic/human operation and is capable of scaling to global power utilization and industrial power levels.  
Develop a lunar surface, orbital, and Moon-to-Earth communications architecture capable of scaling to support
LI-2L:
long term science, exploration, and industrial needs.
Develop a lunar position, navigation and timing architecture capable of scaling to support long term science,
LI-3L:
exploration, and industrial needs.
Demonstrate advanced manufacturing and autonomous construction capabilities in support of continuous
LI-4L:
human lunar presence and a robust lunar economy.
Demonstrate precision landing capabilities in support of continuous human lunar presence and a robust lunar
LI-5L:
economy.
Demonstrate local, regional, and global surface transportation and mobility capabilities in support of continuous
LI-6L:
human lunar presence and a robust lunar economy.  
Demonstrate industrial scale ISRU capabilities in support of continuous human lunar presence and a robust
LI-7L:
lunar economy.
Demonstrate technologies supporting cislunar orbital/surface depots, construction and manufacturing
LI-8L:
maximizing the use of in-situ resources, and support systems needed for continuous human/robotic presence.
Develop environmental monitoring, situational awareness, and early warning capabilities to support a resilient,
LI-9L:
continuous human/robotic lunar presence.  

Mars Infrastructure (MI) Goal: Create essential infrastructure to support initial human Mars exploration campaign.

MI-1M: Develop Mars surface power sufficient for an initial human Mars exploration campaign.  
Develop Mars surface, orbital, and Mars-to-Earth communications to support an initial human Mars
MI-2M:
exploration campaign.
Develop Mars position, navigation and timing capabilities to support an initial human Mars exploration
MI-3M:
campaign.
MI-4M: Demonstrate Mars ISRU capabilities to support an initial human Mars exploration campaign.

9 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

TRANSPORTATION & HABITATION

Transportation and Habitation Goal: Develop and demonstrate an integrated system of systems to conduct a campaign of
human exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, while living and working on the lunar and Martian surface, with safe return
to Earth.

Develop cislunar systems that crew can routinely operate to and from lunar orbit and the lunar surface for
TH-1L: 
extended durations.
TH-2L: Develop system(s) that can routinely deliver a range of elements to the lunar surface.
Develop system(s) to allow crew to explore, operate, and live on the lunar surface and in lunar orbit with
TH-3L: scalability to continuous presence; conducting scientific and industrial utilization as well as Mars analog
activities.
Develop in-space and surface habitation system(s) for crew to live in deep space for extended durations,
TH-4LM:
enabling future missions to Mars.
Develop transportation systems that crew can routinely operate between the Earth-Moon vicinity and Mars
TH-5M:
vicinity, including the Martian surface.
TH-6M: Develop transportation systems that can deliver a range of elements to the Martian surface.
Develop systems for crew to explore, operate, and live on the Martian surface to address key questions with
TH-7M:
respect to science and resources.
Develop systems that monitor and maintain crew health and performance throughout all mission phases,
TH-8LM: including during communication delays to Earth, and in an environment that does not allow emergency
evacuation or terrestrial medical assistance.
Develop integrated human and robotic systems with inter-relationships that enable maximum science and
TH-9L:
exploration during lunar missions.
Develop integrated human and robotic systems with inter-relationships that enable maximum science and
TH-10M:
exploration during Martian missions.
Develop systems capable of returning a range of cargo mass from the lunar surface to Earth, including the
TH-11L:
capabilities necessary to meet scientific and utilization objectives.
Develop systems capable of returning a range of cargo mass from the Martian surface to Earth, including the
TH-12M:
capabilities necessary to meet scientific and utilization objectives.

10 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

OPERATIONS

Operations Goal: Conduct human missions on the surface and around the Moon followed by missions to Mars. Using a
gradual build-up approach, these missions will demonstrate technologies and operations to live and work on a planetary
surface other than Earth, with a safe return to Earth at the completion of the missions.

Conduct human research and technology demonstrations on the surface of Earth, low-Earth orbit
platforms, cislunar platforms, and on the surface of the moon, to evaluate the effects of extended mission
OP-1L:
durations on the performance of crew and systems, reduce risk, and shorten the timeframe for system
testing and readiness prior to the initial human Mars exploration campaign.
Optimize operations, training and interaction between the team on Earth, crew members on orbit, and a
OP-2LM: Martian surface team considering communication delays, autonomy level, and time required for an early
return to the Earth.
Characterize accessible resources, gather scientific research data, and analyze potential reserves to
OP-3LM:
satisfy science and technology objectives and enable use of resources on successive missions.
Establish command and control processes, common interfaces, and ground systems that will support
OP-4LM:
expanding human missions at the Moon and Mars.
OP-5LM: Operate surface mobility systems, e.g., extra-vehicular activity (EVA) suits, tools and vehicles.
Evaluate, understand, and mitigate the impacts on crew health and performance of a long deep space
OP-6L:
orbital mission, followed by partial gravity surface operations on the Moon.
Validate readiness of systems and operations to support crew health and performance for the initial
OP-7LM:
human Mars exploration campaign.
Demonstrate the capability to find, service, upgrade, or utilize instruments and equipment from robotic
OP-8LM:
landers or previous human missions on the surface of the Moon and Mars.
Demonstrate the capability of integrated robotic systems to support and maximize the useful work
OP-9LM:
performed by crewmembers on the surface, and in orbit.
Demonstrate the capability to operate robotic systems that are used to support crew members on the
OP-10LM:
lunar or Martian surface, autonomously or remotely from the Earth or from orbiting platforms.
Demonstrate the capability to use commodities produced from planetary surface or in-space resources to
OP-11LM:
reduce the mass required to be transported from Earth.
Establish procedures and systems that will minimize the disturbance to the local environment, maximize
OP-12LM: the resources available to future explorers, and allow for reuse/recycling of material transported from
Earth (and from the lunar surface in the case of Mars) to be used during exploration.

11 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

Glossary of Terms
ARCHITECTURE: LIVE:
A set of functional capabilities, their translation into The ability to conduct activities beyond tasks on a
elements, their interrelations and operations. The schedule. Engage in hobbies, maintain contact with
architecture enables the implementation of various friends and family, and maintain healthy work-life
mission scenarios that achieve a set of given goals and balance.
objectives.
MISSION:
CAMPAIGN: A major activity required to accomplish an Agency goal
A series of interrelated missions that together achieve or to effectively pursue a scientific, technological, or
agency goals and objectives. engineering opportunity directly related to an Agency
goal. Mission needs are independent of any particular
CONTINUOUS PRESENCE: system or technological solution.
Steady cadence of human/robotic missions in subject
orbit/surface with the desired endpoint of 365/24/7 MOBILITY:
operations. Powered surface travel that extends the exploration
range beyond what is possible for astronauts to cover
DEMONSTRATE: on foot. Spans robotic and crewed systems, and can
Deploy an initial capability to enable system maturation be accomplished on and above the surface.
and future industry growth in alignment with
architecture objectives. ROUTINE:
Recurring subject operations performed as part of a
DEVELOP: regular procedure rather than for a unique reason.
Design, build, and deploy a system, ready to be
operated by the user, to fully meet architectural SCALABILITY:
objectives. Initial systems designed such that minimal recurring
DDT&E is needed to increase the scale of a design to
EXPLORE: meet end state requirements.
Excursion-based expeditions focused on science and
technology tasks. UTILIZATION:
Use of the platform, campaign and/or mission to
GLOBAL: conduct science, research, test and evaluation, public
Infrastructure and capabilities that support human and outreach, education, and industrialization.
robotic operations and utilization across the subject
planetary surface. VALIDATE:
Confirming that a system satisfies its intended use
INCREMENTAL: in the intended environment (Did we build the right
Building compounding operational capabilities within system?).
the constraints of schedule, cost, risk, and access.

12 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022

 www.nasa.gov

13 Moon to Mars Objectives • September 2022