Why is the ultimate goal of the Orion space program to investigate Mars?

Question

Victoria Argento · Accepted Answer

The idea behind it is to create the most safe and advanced spaceship of all time - called Orion after the constellation.

The Orion spacecraft is made to be adaptable enough to carry humans to multiple planets. I understand that NASA considers Mars as a potential place for human habitation, but as of right now, landing on the planet is still a very remarkable achievement because no one has ever set foot there. However, that also means that, as of right now, as far as we know, Mars is a planet where only robots—our rovers—live.

Isaac Abel · Answer

undefined The ultimate goal of the Orion space program to investigate Mars is driven by the potential for scientific discovery, exploration of new frontiers, and the eventual possibility of human colonization. Mars offers unique opportunities for studying planetary evolution, searching for signs of past or present life, and expanding humanity's presence beyond Earth. Additionally, Mars' similarities to Earth make it a prime candidate for studying habitability and understanding our own planet's history.