Explore Mars

Global Mars Exploration Advocacy & Space Industry Workforce Development

Core Services & Expertise

Explore Mars, Inc. operates as action-oriented non-profit organization advancing human exploration of Mars and beyond no later than 2030s, serving as only non-profit mentioned in NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, uniting astronauts, engineers, scientists, executives, researchers, policymakers, and students through strategic advocacy, consensus building, and action-oriented initiatives.

Core services include:

Advocacy:

Strategic advocacy ensuring clear unified vision for humanity’s future on Moon and Mars in 2030s, championing inclusive space future ensuring every voice heard, ensuring space exploration benefits all humanity equally, committed to honoring United Nations Sustainability goals.

Consensus Building:

Uniting visionaries, policymakers, scientists in world of competing priorities, keeping humanity’s path to Mars clear and achievable, uniting Lunar and Martian communities advocating unified space exploration vision.

Action:

Bridging gap between inspiration and execution ensuring Mars discussions lead to meaningful advancements and real-world solutions, turning visionary ideas into tangible achievements providing stability and clarity in uncertain times.

Humans to the Moon and Mars Summit (H2M2):

Annual summit bringing together global space exploration leaders. 2025 H2M2 Summit (May 28-29, George Washington University, Washington DC) achieved 11,000+ online participants and nearly 200 in-person attendees with groundbreaking discussions.

H2M2 2025 Highlights:

• • David Limp (Blue Origin CEO) publicly sharing company’s Moon and Mars plans first time

• • Kristin Houston (Aerojet Rocketdyne President, Space Propulsion & Power Systems) discussing space propulsion advancements

• • Vanessa Wyche (NASA Acting Associate Administrator) outlining NASA strategic roadmap for lunar and Martian missions

All sessions available on-demand viewing.

Trades in Space Initiative:

Revolutionary workforce development program recognizing Mars exploration requires tradespeople (welders, electricians, HVAC technicians, pipefitters) beyond scientists and engineers. Trades in Space video series launched January 2025 with Space Florida and L3Harris at AIAA SciTech Forum, Orlando.

Program objectives:

• • Spotlight essential skilled worker roles building trillion-dollar space industry

• • Educate and inspire students, educators, prospective tradespeople about space sector career opportunities

• • Ensure United States maintains robust skilled professional worker pipeline as space industry grows rapidly

• • Provide clear actionable insights for starting space trades journey

• • Distribute videos to educational institutions, workforce development organizations, stakeholders, policymakers nationwide

Global space economy: Estimated reaching $1.8 trillion by 2035 creating massive workforce demand.

Mission statement: Global community where innovators, pathfinders, policymakers of all ages collaborate establishing human presence on Mars no later than 2030s, envisioning world where human drive to explore propels thriving, inclusive, environmentally responsible existence on Earth and beyond, connecting people and organizations pushing space ecosystem boundaries welcoming stakeholders passionate about peaceful prosperous multiplanetary future.

Geographic Reach & Capabilities

Operating globally connecting international space exploration community with headquarters in Washington DC and partnerships worldwide.

Headquarters: PO Box 76360, Suite 33K, Washington, DC 20013, USA

H2M2 Summit location: George Washington University, Washington DC with 11,000+ global online participation demonstrating international reach.

Workforce development: United States focus through educational institutions, workforce organizations nationwide distribution of Trades in Space video series.

Industry Credentials & Partnerships

Explore Mars, Inc. maintains only non-profit mentioned in NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 providing unique legislative recognition and credibility.

Leadership team:

Executive Leadership:

• • Chris Carberry – CEO & Co-Founder

• • J.R. Edwards – President (H2M2 Summit moderator)

• • Joe Cassady – Executive Vice President

• • Tiffany Vora – Vice President of Innovation Partnerships

• • Rick Zucker – Vice President, Policy

• • Janet Ivey – Director of Education

Board of Directors: Gary Fisher, Rich Phillips, Allyson Reneau, Joseph Webster

Astronaut Ambassador: Sian Proctor – Astronaut Ambassador

Operations: Wade Holler (Creative & Technical Director), Josh Powers (Treasurer), Artemis Westenberg (President Emerita)

Board of Advisors (Chaired by Dr. James Green, Former NASA Chief Scientist):

• • Dr. Buzz Aldrin – Apollo XI astronaut

• • Naeem Altaf – IBM Distinguished Engineer & Master Inventor

• • Dr. Penelope Boston – Former Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute

• • Dr. Victoria Coleman – Acubed CEO, Airbus North America Research & Technology Head, Former US Air Force Chief Scientist

• • Dr. Tanya Harrison – Planetary Scientist

• • Dr. Eric Haseltine – Chairman US Technology Leadership Council, Former EVP Disney Imagineering

• • Karlton Johnson – Colonel USAF-Retired, National Space Society Board of Governors Chair

• • Dr. Bhavya Lal – Former NASA Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy

• • Dr. John Mather – Nobel Prize Winner, NASA COBE Science Team

• • Leland Melvin – NASA Astronaut (Ret.), Engineer, Educator, Former NFL Wide Receiver

• • Tiffany Montague – Former head Google space projects

• • Miles O’Brien – Journalist, PBS NewsHour/Frontline, Former CNN Correspondent

• • Dr. Scott Pace – Director, Space Policy Institute

• • Dr. Shawna Pandya – Physician, IIAS Research Astronaut

• • Nicole Stott – NASA Astronaut (Ret.), Aquanaut, Artist, Space for Art Foundation Co-Founder

Consensus Building Achievement:

Explore Mars demonstrated significant leadership bringing together diverse voices within broader space community. Most significant example: Building consensus between Mars community and lunar advocates at 6th “Achieving Mars Workshop” (AM VI) – https://www.exploremars.org/affording-mars/. Prior to AM VI, these two sectors frequently in conflict. After AM VI, both communities embraced exploration strategy for humanity returning to Moon using that experience to send humans to Mars (feed forward to Mars concept).

Strategic partnerships:

• • Space Florida – Trades in Space video series collaboration

• • L3Harris Technologies – Trades in Space initiative partner

• • Blue Origin – H2M2 Summit participation

• • NASA – Strategic alignment with Artemis program

• • Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris) – Space propulsion collaboration

• • Coalition for Deep Space Exploration – Policy advocacy partnership

Industry recognition: Instrumental bringing together global stakeholders passionate about Mars, at forefront ensuring space exploration benefits all humanity equally.

Current Policy Crossroads & Economic Impact

United States stands at significant crossroad with respect to space policy. NASA never been better prepared to return to Moon and send humans to Mars. However, facing substantial budget cuts with path forward less clear than several years.

Explore Mars policy role if Administration and Congress ensure US Moon return current decade and first humans to Mars in 2030s:

Multifaceted approach:

• Working with NASA and partners celebrating extraordinary achievements of previous decade
• Working with all stakeholders and policymakers guaranteeing programs conducted sustainably
• Educating public, stakeholders, policymakers about extraordinary innovation and economic benefits derived from programs

Economic validation: Investment in NASA always boosted economy. Recent study showed NASA boosted US economy by $75 billion in 2023 – three times NASA budget (New Report Shows NASA’s $75.6 Billion Boost to US Economy). Human presence on Moon and Mars economic boost almost certainly significantly more.

Client Benefits & Advantages

Explore Mars’ NASA Transition Authorization Act 2017 mention provides unique legislative recognition validating organizational credibility and policy influence. Their Board of Advisors including Nobel Prize winner (Dr. John Mather), Apollo XI astronaut (Dr. Buzz Aldrin), former NASA Chief Scientist (Dr. James Green), and former NASA Associate Administrator (Dr. Bhavya Lal) demonstrates exceptional expertise access.

H2M2 Summit 2025 success with 11,000+ online participants and first-time public Moon/Mars plans from Blue Origin CEO David Limp validates event significance and industry participation. On-demand session availability enables global audience accessing groundbreaking discussions.

Trades in Space Initiative addresses critical space industry workforce challenge recognizing $1.8 trillion space economy by 2035 requires skilled tradespeople beyond traditional aerospace engineering focus. Video series distribution through educational institutions nationwide creates accessible pathway for students considering space trades careers.

Multi-stakeholder approach uniting Lunar and Martian communities prevents fragmented space exploration advocacy, ensuring cohesive vision. UN Sustainability goals alignment demonstrates responsible space exploration commitment addressing environmental and social concerns.

2030s Mars presence goal provides clear ambitious timeline driving urgency and focus. Tax-deductible contribution status enables philanthropic support for Mars exploration vision.

Quick Facts:

• • Status: Only non-profit in NASA Transition Authorization Act 2017

• • Goal: Human presence on Mars no later than 2030s

• • H2M2 2025: 11,000+ online participants, 200 in-person attendees

• • Initiative: Trades in Space video series (Space Florida, L3Harris partnership)

• • Space Economy: $1.8 trillion by 2035 projection

• • Leadership: Chris Carberry (CEO), J.R. Edwards (President)

• • Advisors: Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Dr. John Mather (Nobel Prize), former NASA leaders

• • Location: Washington DC

For aerospace industry stakeholders requiring Mars exploration policy advocacy, educational institutions seeking space trades career pathway resources, skilled tradespeople interested in space industry opportunities, space exploration policymakers needing unified vision consensus, corporate partners supporting Mars presence goals, and students aspiring to contribute to multiplanetary future, Explore Mars provides the legislative recognition, expert leadership, and action-oriented initiatives essential for advancing human Mars exploration by 2030s.

Contact Details:

Address: PO Box 76360, Suite 33K, Washington, DC 20013, USA Website: https://www.exploremars.org/ CEO: Chris Carberry President: J.R. Edwards Status: Non-profit (tax-deductible contributions) Recognition: Only non-profit mentioned in NASA Transition Authorization Act 2017 Mission: Human presence on Mars no later than 2030s

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