The Mars challenge

Let’s advance

Regarding “NASA’s Mars exploration plan short on specifics, experts say” (Page A1, Oct. 10), the search for life on Mars is a primary goal of both human and robotic exploration, but it also creates a significant dilemma: Could human astronauts contaminate/damage indigenous Martian life, or conversely, could those astronauts inadvertently be contaminated themselves by Martian life?

While planetary protection concerns are valid, the topic has also generated an argument that human explorers should remain in Martian orbit — rather than land — if we find evidence of life. The mission concept developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in association with The Planetary Society calls for an orbital mission to Mars in 2033 and landings on Mars in the late 2030s or early 2040s. The funding model relies on inflationary increases only to NASA’s budget over the next 20-30 years. Unfortunately, this plan’s goals are so far in the future that there is no urgency to achieve it.

We must make sure that “orbiting” missions don’t become the central focus of human missions to Mars. With modest increases in funding, NASA will be able to make great advances in Mars exploration, including a human landing on Mars no later than the early 2030s with any orbital precursors occurring in the late 2020s.

Mars presents us with many challenges — such as the challenges of landing human habitats on the surface, creating life support and managing radiation.

Planetary protection protocols should be addressed in the same manner as these other challenges — a problem to work aggressively, and solve over the next few years rather than an excuse to retreat before we even get started.

Chris Carberry, CEO of Explore Mars Inc.

Beverly, Mass.