Several Mars exploration technologies and missions were in progress or planned. However, I don’t have access to real-time information, so I can’t provide details on developments that have occurred since then. Here are some of the notable Mars exploration technologies and missions up to that point:
- Perseverance Rover: NASA’s Perseverance rover landed on Mars in February 2021. It is equipped with advanced technology, including a sample caching system, a helicopter drone called Ingenuity, and a range of scientific instruments designed to search for signs of past life and pave the way for human exploration.
- Ingenuity Mars Helicopter: The Ingenuity helicopter was part of the Perseverance mission and demonstrated the feasibility of powered flight on another planet. It has completed numerous successful flights, providing valuable data on aerial exploration of Mars.
- Mars Sample Return (MSR) Mission: A collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), MSR aims to collect rock and soil samples from the surface of Mars, cache them, and eventually return them to Earth for detailed analysis. MSR will utilize advanced robotics, sample collection, and spacecraft technology.
- Tianwen-1: China’s Tianwen-1 mission, which arrived on Mars in February 2021, includes an orbiter, lander, and rover. The mission incorporates advanced technology for remote sensing and surface exploration, as well as a ground-penetrating radar to study the subsurface.
- ExoMars: A joint ESA and Roscosmos mission, ExoMars aims to search for signs of past and present life on Mars. The mission includes a rover, Rosalind Franklin, equipped with a suite of scientific instruments for surface analysis.
- Mars 2020: Tianwen-1: The UAE’s Mars mission, known as the Hope Probe or Al-Amal, reached Mars in February 2021. It is an orbiter designed to study the Martian atmosphere and climate using advanced instruments.
Since my last update, there may have been additional missions, developments, and technological advancements related to Mars exploration. To get the latest information, I recommend checking official space agency websites and reputable news sources that cover space exploration and technology developments.