When do you think we'll land a human / humans on Mars?

Question

I watched a program called 'MARS RISING' which was about a hypothetical mission to Mars, involving all the risk factors, engineering, etc.

Of course we also had movies like 'Red Planet' and 'Mission to Mars' among many others. How plausible do you think it is to set-up a colony there? and how soon do you think it will happen?

Answer 1

Unless we have significant advances in technology it will be several years, if not decades, before humans land on Mars. Some of the issues we face are:



Length of flight to Mars and the severe toll that weightlessness places on the human body.



Maintaining environmentals (e.g. oxygen, food, medical issues) for what will be a three year mission.



Landing a craft on Mars has proven to be difficult. Using parachutes is pretty much out of the question due to the thinness of the martain atmosphere and the speed that the landing craft will be subjected to (parachutes could be ripped to shreds). Plus dust storms with the speed of their winds could make any type of landing difficult.



For a trip of this length, phsychological issues will definitely come into play. The rocket jockies of the type seen in Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle missions would not make good crewmen for that type of journey.



Survival on Mars itself would be challenging as well. Dust storms, frigid temperatures, hazardous terrain and solar radiation to name a few are going to present a whole new set of problems.



Probably the biggest obstacle is going to be the cost. It would certainly have to be an international effort to spread the cost around. I don't see any significant signs of cooperation on even planning such a mission let alone accomplishing it.



If I had to make an educated guess, we will be lucky if we get there by 2030. I would suspect it will be closer to 2040 unless there are significant improvements in the political and scientific arenas.

Answer 2

Jeanne gave a great answer. I don't see any mainstream support for such an adventure. Space travel, because of its cost is a political decision. Such decisions require wide public support. I just don't see that happening. Not with the pathetic state of our economy. We are so much in debt that such a program, even spread out over many nations would ruin us. Especially if we keep invading nations that have done us no harm.

Answer 3

the fee we are going... i'd say no. going to mars can in simple terms be executed via a extensive government software. the US voters are very antigovernment. capitalism is barely attracted to funds... greed... making a earnings. i'm wondering whether this is the reason the US had to play "seize up" whilst the soviets (massive government) set quite some area information early on. in step with threat China stands out as the 1st to Mars. i in my opinion doubt the US would be first.

Answer 4

When the price of gas goes down!