For years, NASA has been working toward one of its most exciting and ambitious missions to Mars—the goal of sending humans to the Red Planet. The space agency said the path to human exploration of the Red Planet begins with the International Space Station, which serves as a proving ground for multiple research projects that could help demonstrate the technologies and communications systems we need to establish an effective human civilization on another planet. But when exactly will we finally see human boots on the surface of our neighboring planet? It could be as early as the 2030s, but here’s what we know.
While NASA hasn’t revealed a specific date for sending humans to Mars, we do have some timelines to look at. First, we know that the Artemis moon missions are part of an ongoing program to prepare humans for longer space missions, such as those required to take us to Mars. Second, we know that NASA is working on at least six different technologies that it hopes to use to send humans to the Red Planet.
However, when these technologies will actually be ready for use is another question. and address other issues surrounding long-term space travel, such as the damage done to the human body by prolonged periods of low gravity. While it looks like there’s a lot to do, NASA says it hopes to put human boots on Mars as soon as possible.
Read more: 5 Activities Banned on the International Space Station
Why NASA’s timeline is so vague
Of course, something as broad as the 2030s is very vague. After all, it has been ten years. Before we can determine an appropriate launch date for such a mission, though, we’ll have to check a few more boxes on the checklist NASA has created for itself.
Top of the list is launching the first manned mission to the moon in years. Although we first achieved this feat in 1969, it’s been more than 50 years since humans last physically touched the lunar surface. The last lunar landing mission, Apollo 17, left the lunar surface on December 14, 1972. Technology has changed dramatically since then, as have expectations of NASA and other space agencies, especially as safety has become a key argument in the push for more commercial space efforts. This means NASA must ensure that any crewed flights into the unknown meet standards and are prepared to handle any situation. That’s easier said than done, especially since we’re already seeing research on changes that could derail manned missions to Mars.
That’s why the timeline for NASA’s first human-led mission to Mars is currently so wide-ranging, as we have no reliable timeline for when such a mission will actually come to fruition. NASA may also be the first to send artificially intelligent astronauts to Mars, which could help pave the way for future missions.
So, when will NASA go to Mars?
Space shuttle takeoff concept with the moon and Mars visible in the background – Triff/Shutterstock
The short answer is no one knows for sure. The long-term answer is when the agency can prove that sending humans there is not only possible but actually safe for the astronauts involved. The basic facts involved here suggest that putting a human boot on Mars would require at least seven months of one-way travel. This does not include the time it takes them to orbit and prepare for landing, nor does it include the time they spend on Earth.
That means not only keeping the astronauts on board safe, but also making sure they have all the supplies they need to survive the long journey into space. Currently, the International Space Station receives new supplies several times a year. However, NASA typically aims to keep at least six months’ worth of supplies on board at all times, including air, food, water and other necessities such as toilet paper. So for a trip to Mars to be possible, it may need to achieve more.
There are other logistical factors to consider, such as the weight of the fuel needed to power the rockets that will carry astronauts to Mars, and the weight of the landers that will carry astronauts to the surface. Once NASA figures out all of these issues, though, the agency will be able to take a broad timeline of the 2030s and narrow it down exponentially. Still, the idea of taking humans to a completely different planet (an average of 140 million miles from Earth) within the next 15 years is exciting and inspiring.
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