Martian

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

Martian refers to anything pertaining to the planet Mars, including its geological features, atmospheric conditions, potential life, or spacecraft missions exploring its surface and orbit.

BACKGROUND

The idea of sending humans to Mars has been the subject of aerospace engineering and scientific studies since the late 1940s as part of the broader exploration of Mars. Long-term proposals have included sending settlers and terraforming the planet. Currently, only robotic landers, rovers and a helicopter have been on Mars. As of 2026, the farthest humans have been beyond Earth is the Moon and its vicinity, with the lunar flights of the Apollo program from 1968 to 1972 and the Artemis II lunar flyby in 2026, both of which were operated by NASA.

SYNONYMS & ALIASES

• Of Mars
• Red Planet
• Arean
• Mars-related

USAGE NOTE

Martian soil samples are highly sought after for scientific analysis.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to Martian.

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

  NASA is a U.S. government agency responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics research, and space exploration. It has a long history of Martian exploration, including numerous orbiters, landers, and rovers like Perseverance, Curiosity, and InSight, and is planning future human missions to Mars.

• SpaceX

  SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk. Its long-term goal is to enable human colonization of Mars, developing its Starship rocket for this purpose, aiming to make humanity multi-planetary.

• European Space Agency (ESA)

  ESA is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Through its ExoMars program, ESA is actively involved in robotic exploration of Mars, studying the Martian environment and searching for signs of past or present life.

• China National Space Administration (CNSA)

  CNSA is the national space agency of China, responsible for the national space program. It successfully landed its Tianwen-1 orbiter and Zhurong rover on Mars, making significant contributions to Martian exploration and scientific understanding.

• Lockheed Martin Space

  Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company. Its Space division is a major contractor for NASA's deep space missions, including developing and building many Mars orbiters and landers such as the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and InSight.

• Airbus Defence and Space

  Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus responsible for military aircraft, space, and communications. It plays a significant role in European space missions, including contributing to the development of the Rosalind Franklin rover for ESA's ExoMars program.

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

  JPL, a federally funded research and development center managed by Caltech for NASA, is a leading center for robotic exploration of the solar system. It has designed, built, and operated numerous Mars missions, including the Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance rovers.