Mars Society Convention to Feature Former NASA Chief Scientist James Green
Dr. James Green, former NASA Chief Scientist, will speak at the 2026 Mars Society Convention on human Mars exploration using current technology.
The Mars Society has announced that Dr. James Green, former NASA Chief Scientist and a leading figure in planetary exploration, will deliver a keynote address at the 29th Annual International Mars Society Convention. The event will take place from October 22 to 24, 2026, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Dr. Green, who spent 42 years at NASA, served as the agency’s Chief Scientist and as the longest-serving Director of the Planetary Science Division. During his tenure, he oversaw critical Mars missions such as Phoenix, Curiosity, InSight, MAVEN, and Perseverance, as well as the continued success of earlier missions like Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.
His presentation, titled “Designing a Human Mars Campaign Using Current Technologies,” will explore how existing and near-term technologies can be integrated into a feasible plan for human Mars exploration. Drawing from his extensive experience, Dr. Green will address the opportunities, challenges, and mission architectures that could make a human presence on Mars a reality.
In addition to Dr. Green, the convention will feature other prominent speakers, including space entrepreneur Rick Tumlinson and astro-biochemist Dr. Steven Benner, who will discuss topics ranging from the future of space settlement to the potential for life on Mars.
Dr. James Green’s talk on leveraging current technologies for human Mars missions represents a critical step in translating decades of robotic exploration into a roadmap for human expansion. His experience with Mars missions like Perseverance and InSight provides a technical foundation for designing feasible human campaigns. This aligns with the long-term vision of making Mars a second home for humanity, where technological progress and scientific discovery converge. As we stand on the brink of a new era in space exploration, Green’s insights exemplify the accelerating trajectory toward a multi-planetary civilization, where Mars becomes not just a destination, but a cradle for the next phase of human evolution.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.