Explore Mars, Inc. hosted the Ninth Community Workshop for Achievability and Sustainability of Human Exploration of Mars (AM IX) on June14-16, 2022 at The George Washington University in Washington, DC.

This invitation-only workshop, hosted by Explore Mars, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, assembled a diverse group of professionals to identify those activities that are required to prepare for an achievable and sustainable program of future human Mars missions starting in the 2030s. Such activities include preparatory work in areas of human health and performance, Mars science priorities that leverage human presence, operational strategies for transit and surface operations, and technology solutions, many of which can be tested on Earth, in low-Earth orbit, lunar orbit, or on the surface of the Moon.

The annual AM workshops (https://www.exploremars.org/affording-mars/) have been an essential opportunity for a broad community to contribute to the development and justification of valuable elements of NASA’s human space flight program. AM IX built on the products of AM VIII: How the Moon can be effectively used to prepare for Mars exploration.

Participants of AM IX noted that a comprehensive plan is needed for the human exploration of Mars that includes a cohesive campaign of Mars missions, both robotic and human, that leverages near-term activities in low Earth orbit, lunar orbit, and the lunar surface. This includes the critical areas of science priorities, architecture, necessary precursor activities, human health, and planetary protection. During the three-day workshop, as well as virtual meetings over the Summer and fall of 2022, participants developed the following summary of recommendations as well as detailed appendices.