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Manned Mars Mission In 2014?

Posted by michael on from the opportunity-knocks dept.

simonj writes: "BBC News Online carried a report that, according to an American academic, the best time for a manned Mars mission will be in 2014. Apparently, Earth, Mars and Venus will be in alignment, allowing a gravitational slingshot manoeuvre."

4 of 17 comments (clear)

  1. Re:why wait? by SEE · · Score: 2

    A Mars vehicle would be built for the trip, in Earth orbit

    Only if NASA decides to use the $450 billion 1989 SEI plan instead of the more recent $50 billion modified Mars Direct plan.

    Steven E. Ehrbar

  2. Re:why wait? by Bearpaw · · Score: 2
    OK, I understand the trip will be faster then, but it kinda defeats the purpose waiting 14 years, doesn't it?

    Nope. The point of making the trip shorter isn't (necessarily) to get there sooner, it's to make the trip itself shorter. The less time it takes you to get there, the less resources you need to take with you. (Or, the longer the time you can actually spend on Mars, exploring.)

    Also, the less time people spend in transition, the less stress they'll take on their physiological and psychological health.

  3. Join NASA, see the world... by Fruny · · Score: 3

    Dear mom,

    I write you this letter while I'm on my way towards Venus. We decided that since our stay on Mars has been shortened, we could afford a quick trip there. Well, I'm not sure the boss will approuve our touring, and he might deduct it from our vacation time. We've also been told by locals that Neptune was nice this time of the year.

    Your loving son.

    PS. If I can manage to buy postcards, I'll send you one.

  4. I'm already in training for a Mars mission by Hairy_Potter · · Score: 5

    I spend over 8 hours a day in a small cubicle, getting all my social interaction fromn a computer, and eating from a vending machine.

    3 years in a telephone booth to Mars and back? No problem.