Mission - To Mars

Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months . This alignment, known as "opposition," minimizes the fuel needed for the roughly 300-million-mile trip.

Before any rocket launches, mission planners must define clear goals. Common objectives for Mars Exploration include: Mission to Mars

Studying the history and current state of the Martian atmosphere. Earth and Mars align favorably only every 26 months

Getting to Mars requires overcoming massive gravitational and orbital hurdles: known as "opposition