Why Mars: A Prologue

As the next wave of robotic exploration of
Mars commences in the early 2020s, led by a
multiplicity of space-faring nations and emerging
commercial entities such as SpaceX and
Blue Origin, the possibility of paradigm-shifting
discoveries about the Red Planet is high. In
this midst, the always-lurking question of “why
Mars?” merits reconsideration. The answer
ranges from seeking to enhance high-tech prowess
and leadership, evolving our understanding
of geology, chemistry, physics, and meteorology,
to providing intellectual inspiration to a broad
cross-section of the society.