Ares Program
Discovery, Exploration
2010 - 2028 CE
The Ares program was a NASA-led crewed spaceflight project overseen by UNAC that succeeded in its milestone goal of landing humans on the surface of Mars. The Ares program spanned 18 years, from 2010 to 2028 CE, and five missions, each a duration of roughly 440 days with 30 of those spent on the Martian surface. All five missions were a success.
Program Timeline
2010
Aug. 5
Ares program announced
2012
Feb. 15
Construction begins on Ares mission vehicle Athena
2016
Mar. 20
Athena construction complete
2018
Jun. 27
Ares I mission launched to Mars
Oct. 1
Ares I mission arrives at Mars
Oct. 3
Humans stand on Mars for the first time
Nov. 2
Ares I departs for Earth
2019
Apr. 24
Ares I returns to Earth
2020
Aug. 19
Ares II mission launched to Mars
Dec. 9
Ares II mission arrives at Mars
2021
Jan. 10
Ares II mission departs for Earth
Aug. 22
Ares II mission returns to Earth
2022
Oct. 12
Ares III mission launched to Mars
2023
Feb. 17
Ares III mission arrives at Mars
Mar. 19
Ares III mission departs for Earth
Nov. 22
Ares III mission returns to Earth
2024
Nov. 18
Ares IV mission launched to Mars
2025
Apr. 11
Ares IV mission arrives at Mars
May 11
Ares IV mission departs for Earth
2026
Feb. 23
Ares IV mission returns to Earth
Dec. 26
Ares V mission launched to Mars
2027
May 19
Ares V mission arrives at Mars
Jun. 18
Ares V mission departs for Earth
2028
Apr. 1
Ares V mission returns to Earth