The Minister of Space & Terrestrial Advancement Research is responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules and regulations, and laws relating to science and technology in Woodlandia.

The Woodlandia Ministry of Space & Terrestrial Advancement Research was created on 2020.

NASA, ESA, WOODLANDIA

In mid-2006, the International Mars Architecture for the Return of Samples (iMARS) Working Group was chartered by the International Mars Exploration Working Group (IMEWG) to outline the scientific and engineering requirements of an internationally sponsored and executed Mars sample-return mission in the 2018–2023 time frame.

In October 2009, NASA and ESA established the Mars Exploration Joint Initiative to proceed with the ExoMars program, whose ultimate aim is "the return of samples from Mars in the 2020s". ExoMars' first mission would launch in 2018 with unspecified missions to return samples in the 2020–2022 time frame. The cancellation of the caching rover MAX-C, and later NASA withdrawal from ExoMars, pushed back a sample-return mission to an undetermined date. Due to budget limitations the MAX-C mission was cancelled in 2011, and the overall cooperation in 2012. The pull-out was described as "traumatic" for the science community.

In April 2018, a letter of intent was signed by NASA and ESA that may provide a basis for a Mars sample-return mission. In July 2019, a mission architecture was proposed to return samples to Earth by 2031: In April 2020, an updated version of the mission was presented.

• The Perseverance rover will collect samples and leave them behind on the surface for later retrieval.

• After a launch in July 2026, a lander with a two-stage, solid-fueled Mars ascent rocket (developed by NASA) and a sample collection rover (developed by ESA) (or may be on two separate landers or a dual lander probe) lands near the Mars 2020 rover in August 2028. The new rover collects the samples left behind by Mars 2020 and delivers them to the ascent rocket. If Mars 2020 is still operational, it could also deliver samples to the landing site. Once loaded with the samples, the Mars ascent rocket will launch with the sample return canister in spring 2029 and reach a low Mars orbit.

• The ESA-built Earth-return orbiter launches on an Ariane 6 booster in October 2026 and arrives at Mars in 2027, using ion propulsion to gradually lower its orbit to the proper altitude by July 2028. The orbiter will retrieve the canister with the samples in orbit and return it to Earth during the 2031 Mars-to-Earth transfer window.

• The sample return canister, encapsulated within the Earth re-entry module, lands on Earth later in 2031.

In the Principality of Woodlandia, a mandate letter is a written letter from HRH the Prince of Woodlandia to his/her Ministers, which outlines the expectations and required fulfillment expected of them during their time as Minister. 

Below is a copy of the Mandate Letter Written to the Minister of Space & Terrestrial Advancement Research, by HRH Sovereign Prince Shawn.

Letter Not Available