How soon can we have humans on Mars? Sooner than you might think–the first experiment designed to produce breathable air on the Martian surface is launching in 2020.
The rover will carry the Mars Oxygen ISRU experiment “MOXIE,” which will take carbon dioxide out of the Martian atmosphere and produce oxygen. If it can do so successfully, humans will have oxygen to breathe and rockets will be able to use that oxygen to help power the return trip home.
Read more about our imminent Mars exploration plans here!