Mars Architecture Trade Space: NASA web page¶
Page: https://www.nasa.gov/moon-to-mars-architecture-mars-architecture-trade-space/, title "Moon
to Mars Architecture - Mars Architecture Trade Space". No date on the page. Its images were uploaded
from January 2024 to December 2025 (upload paths /2024/01/, /2024/11/, /2025/11/, /2025/12/;
indirect evidence only). Fetched 2026-10-01T07:22:03Z. File:
sources/text/pages/moon-to-mars-architecture-mars-architecture-trade-space.md.
Summary. NASA's public overview of the open questions for the first human Mars missions, in five
areas: getting there, landing, living, working and getting back. It is the page the
2025 Architecture Update links at the end of
its crew-number page (p. 13): the Update prints www.nasa.gov/moon-to-mars-architecture-mars-architecture-trade-space,
the same address as this fetch. It names one decision already made (fission for initial surface
power) and leaves everything else open. The content is on
Humans to Mars.
What the page says¶
- Definition ("Introduction"): "In space architecture analysis, the trade space is the range of possibilities for a mission or campaign. The Mars trade space represents the many approaches that NASA could take to land the first humans on the Red Planet. Currently, this space is relatively open." Decisions "like the decision to use nuclear fission power for the initial surface power generation technology for human missions, narrow down the options in the trade space." The ADD and its glossary define "trade space" in other words (Glossary).
- "A system of systems." The topics "often include many interconnections; a robust architecture accounts for the many relationships between different areas" ("Introduction").
- Five areas, each a heading and a system name:
| Heading | System | What the page says is open |
|---|---|---|
| "Getting to Mars" | Transportation Systems | "chemical, nuclear electric, nuclear thermal, solar electric, or hybrid systems that combine multiple propulsion methods", with trade-offs "in cost, speed, and technological maturity"; NASA "could choose different technologies for different purposes (e.g., one type for human transportation and another for cargo missions)"; includes "the rockets that launch Mars mission assets from Earth" |
| "Landing on Mars" | Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems | "the size of landing vehicles, how they will slow down and land softly after entering the Martian atmosphere, and the order in which NASA conducts individual landings" |
| "Living on Mars" | Crew Systems | suits, communications "to keep them in touch with mission controllers and family on Earth", food, water and clothing |
| "Working on Mars" | Surface Systems | habitats, rovers, "robotic helpers", science equipment; "the number of crew members, the length of their stay on Mars, and their exploration goals will define what astronauts need on the surface" |
| "Getting Back from Mars" | Ascent Systems | NASA "has never attempted an orbital ascent from the Martian surface"; the lander "could double as an ascent vehicle", or the ascent vehicle could be "delivered before the crew arrives"; propellant brought from Earth or made by ISRU; depends on crew numbers and "the mass of samples it must return to Earth" |
- Forward work ("Forward Work"): "As NASA defines more of the Mars architecture trade space, it will update the Architecture Definition Document to reflect new elements, the target state, and expected operations. Future white papers will provide deep dives into specific areas of the Mars trade space."
Against the wiki's other sources¶
The wiki's comparison:
- The five areas match subjects the ADD lists as Humans to Mars future work ("transportation; return propellant strategies; surface infrastructure needs; entry, descent, landing, and ascent options"; ADD Rev C, p. 39) and the 2024 Mars white papers on EDL, ascent propellant, crew complement and power.
- The propulsion list is the option set of gap #1104 (nuclear thermal, nuclear electric, chemical, solar electric, hybrids).
- The page doesn't print any MD task number, gap or element.
Related pages¶
Humans to Mars · Key definition tasks · Glossary · 2025 Architecture Update · Mars Architecture Studies page