...as part of a Space Force experiment to explore Mars for alternative fuels, however Carter Verone's father had already eradicated these fuels and tampered with the Space Force capsule. Thus Mr. Torreto has been stranded on Mars for years. It was only when Jesse (yes that Jesse) used a combination of flubber and JP4 to rocket his VW Jetta to Mars to save Mr. Torreto and return him back to his deviant son, Dom.
We all thought Jesse met his fate on the Toretto residence sidewalk, but it was all part of the master plan to save Mr. Torreto.