Where will humans go after Mars? Is Mars the end of the line or is it a steppingstone to somewhere else? If we “moon-to-Mars,” do we then “Mars-to-somewhere else?” These are curious questions that have received very little attention even though the answer has implications to current NASA lunar programs and planetary science mission planning. The next destination beyond Mars will require years of precursor science reconnaissance missions as well as use of the moon and Mars as analogs and proving grounds, echoing NASA’s blueprint for human exploration. There are knowledge and experience gaps that need to be filled, just as NASA is planning for going back to the moon and on to Mars. Formalizing the next destination will provide more incentives to ensure these missions are successful. So, it’s not too early to answer the question — where will we go next?
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