Humans are not yet on Mars, but several plans and milestones point to a first crewed mission in the 2030s, with NASA and other space agencies aiming to send astronauts to Mars sometime in that decade. The exact year is not fixed and depends on technological readiness, funding, and mission design choices. NASA has publicly discussed targets around the mid- to late 2030s, with Artemis serving as the Moon-based precursor to test systems and capabilities for Mars missions. Private efforts and international partners are also examining timelines that could place an initial crewed Mars mission in a similar or slightly earlier window, contingent on successful development and demonstrations of long-duration life support, entry, descent, and landing on Mars, and robust surface operations. Current notable milestones include advancing deep-space habitats, propulsion, ascent/descent systems, and Mars sample return workflows, all of which underpin a viable crewed mission timeline in the 2030s. For the latest, most precise target date, consult recent NASA briefings and space-industry updates, as timelines are subject to change with new findings and budgetary decisions.
