Editorial: Advances in Mars Research and Exploration

The pursuit of finding habitable conditions or life outside our planet has always been fascinating. In terms of habitability, Mars is the most Earth-like planet within our solar system as it displays comparable physical determinants such as radius, mass, and temperature, and physicochemical markers such as available energy, substrate stability, suitable chemistry, and past liquid stability. In addition, the Martian regolith and subsurface contain water in frozen and possibly in liquid or transient liquid states; Mars has moderate surface gravity to enable future colonization; and the Martian climate, although harsh, can still theoretically support life forms analogous to terrestrial extremophiles. Thus, Mars research and exploration holds a significant place in planetary sciences, advancing our knowledge beyond the Earth.