Preface

Mars exploration plays a fundamental role in space programs worldwide. More than 50 years after the Mariner 4 spacecraft flyby mission on 15 July 1965, the red planet still represents the next frontier of extra-terrestrial space exploration programs.

To date, several space agencies all over the world have sent spacecraft to Mars, but only two countries have accomplished successful landings. The Soviet Union landed on Mars for the first time in history with the Mars 3 and Mars 6 landings in 1971 and 1973, respectively. Since then, there have been eight successful United States Mars landings, namely Viking 1 and Viking 2 (both 1976), Pathfinder (1997), Spirit and Opportunity (both 2004), Phoenix (2008), Curiosity (2012), and InSight (2018).

Other countries have sent or aim to send spacecraft towards the red planet in the near future, including Europe, Japan, United Arabs Emirates, India, and China. For instance, there are three missions leaving for Mars within ten days at the end of July 2020. They are, in the order of launch, Hope of Emirates (July 20), Tianwen-1 of China (July 23), and Mars 2020 of Nasa (July 30).

However, sending a spacecraft to Mars demands huge efforts from both scientific and engineering points of view. Several issues must be addressed, including space probe design, launch, interplanetary journey, approach, entry and descent flights, and landing when a rover is present.

The next goal is to send human missions to Mars. Proposals for crewed exploration have been made throughout the history of space exploration; this has been an aspiration since the earliest days of space science.

This book contains three sections covering Missions to Mars, In Situ Operations, and Human - Rated Missions. Each section contains valuable contributions focusing on several mission design issues. Topics covered include discussion of psychological effects related with human-rated missions. The information contained herein will allow for the development of safe and efficient exploration missions to Mars.

In this framework, the aim of the book is to support industries, research centers, and space agencies in their own design and development of next-generation missions to Mars. Therefore, this book is recommended for both students and research engineers involved in all design phases typical for exploration missions to Mars.

**II**

**Chapter 8 127**

**Chapter 9 143**

Psychosocial Aspects of a Flight to Mars

*by Radvan Bahbouh*

*by Jim Pass*

Astrosociology on Mars

**Giuseppe Pezzella and Antonio Viviani** Professor, Department of Engineering, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Aversa, Italy

**1**

Section 1

Missions to Mars
