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Elon Musk: I'll Put a Human On Mars By 2026

Posted by samzenpus on from the go-to-mars dept.

An anonymous reader writes Elon Musk says that he'll put the first human boots on Mars well before the 2020s are over. "I'm hopeful that the first people could be taken to Mars in 10 to 12 years, I think it's certainly possible for that to occur," he said. "But the thing that matters long term is to have a self-sustaining city on Mars, to make life multiplanetary." He acknowledged that the company's plans were too long-term to attract many hedge fund managers, which makes it hard for SpaceX to go public anytime soon. "We need to get where things a steady and predictable," Musk said. "Maybe we're close to developing the Mars vehicle, or ideally we've flown it a few times, then I think going public would make more sense."

5 of 275 comments (clear)

  1. SpaceX, Tesla, Solar City by stiggle · · Score: 5, Interesting

    He's building his framework of companies to support a colony there.

    SpaceX to get there and then Tesla electric propulsion charged via better efficient solar panels from Solar City, needed due to the dimmer sun further out in the solar system.

    Just needs a building system using Martian resources next (concrete based on martian dust)

  2. And Extroverts not welcome by OzPeter · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There was a story last week about how extroverts would be the worst possible people to have along on a multi-month trip to mars in a very small spaceship. That is something that introverts are better suited for doing.

    Extroverts Don't Belong on Mars

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  3. Ok, next question. by will_die · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When does he plan to get the first person from Mars back to Earth?

    1. Re:Ok, next question. by SuricouRaven · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Aside from the problem of a life support and food production system that can operate for 30 years, with a lead time on spare parts measured in years, and fresh supply shipments very limited. Plus the severe lack of medical services. Eventually a reliable colony would be possible - but the first few waves will just have to hope nothing breaks down and that the political environment back on earth keeps the resupply rockets flowing.

  4. Toxic Mars by Silpher · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Too bad Maris is toxic as fuck : http://www.newscientist.com/ar...