Exploring the Needs for an Architecture of a Mars Space Weather Mission
A 2.5-day workshop at NASA Ames examining a dedicated space weather mission at the Sun-Mars L1 point, across user needs, observational requirements, and science opportunities.
Dates
Oct 20-22, 2026
2.5 days
Location
NASA Ames
Moffett Field, California
NCTS 54713-27
Format
Hybrid
In person & virtual
Cost
Free
Open to the community
A continuous, upstream monitor providing advanced warning of space weather arriving at Mars.
As humanity sets its sights on the Red Planet, understanding and mitigating the hazards of space weather at Mars is critical. To date there have been no dedicated space weather missions to Mars, leaving gaps in our understanding of how solar activity impacts the Martian environment.
To address this need, the NASA Space Weather Program (SWxP) is hosting this workshop to explore user needs, observational requirements, and science opportunities for a dedicated space weather mission at the Sun-Mars L1 point.
Over 2.5 days at NASA Ames Research Center, the workshop brings together exploration end-users, space weather analysts and forecasters, industry, academia, and government partners to assess what a mission designed specifically to support robotic and human exploration at Mars could look like.
The workshop is hybrid and free to attend, with in-person sessions at Ames complemented by full virtual participation for the global community.
What we'll explore
Three threads, one goal
The workshop is organized around the questions that turn an idea into a mission.
User Needs
Identify the user needs and decision-making processes essential to robotic and human missions to Mars, including space weather analysis, forecasting support, and the autonomous systems required to operate safely at Mars. These requirements drive everything that follows.
Observational Requirements
Define the specific measurements, autonomous systems, and mission architecture required by a Mars L1 space weather mission to successfully fulfill these user needs.
Science Opportunities
Explore the space weather science that a sustained Mars L1 mission would enable, from solar energetic particles, solar wind evolution, and multipoint measurements of the Sun.
Key dates
Plan your participation
Mark the deadlines for abstracts and registration. International attendees should register early to allow time for site access.
- Now openRegistration and abstract submission open
- Jul 1, 2026Abstract submission closes
- Sep 8, 2026International registration closes
- Oct 7, 2026Domestic registration closes
- Oct 20Workshop convenes at NASA Ames
Join us at Mars L1
Registration and abstract submission are free and open to the community. Reserve your place and share your work.