Science Friday What Should Astronauts Do First When They Reach Mars?
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Jan 6, 2026 Join Lindy Elkins-Tanton, a prominent planetary scientist and director of UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory, as she navigates the exciting possibilities of human missions to Mars. She outlines the scientific objectives for Mars, emphasizing the search for life as a top priority. Lindy shares insights on why humans bring unique value alongside robots, the importance of teamwork in mission planning, and personal reflections on facing the uncertainties of space travel. Discover what it takes to make the Psyche mission a reality and why curiosity is vital for exploration.
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Search For Life Is Priority One
- Searching for life is the top-priority scientific goal for crewed Mars missions and drives other investigations.
- Samples and life-detection work will also reveal habitability and inform human presence on Mars.
Phased Missions: Short Then Longer Stays
- Early human Mars missions will be staged as three campaigns with short and long-stay options.
- The first mission is envisioned as a 30-day stay to test systems, gather samples, and learn on-site.
Humans Plus Robots: Complementary Strengths
- Humans and robotic agents will work together because each brings complementary strengths.
- Humans excel at sight, flexible decision-making, repairs, and adapting plans in real time.
