Planetary space travel has always been an idea that has lingered in the realm of sci-fi. Sure, we may have set foot on the moon, but that was only once and has never been replicated again. But, with billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos investing heavily in rocket technology, we could potentially experience space exploration in our lifetimes. In a recent interview on the Lex Friedman podcast, Musk talked about a wide range of topics such as AI, technology etc, but one thing that he stated really struck out. He mentioned that we could, in a best-case scenario, transport actual humans to the surface of Mars in about 5 years!
We currently have 5 rovers on the surface of Mars. Called Sojourner, Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance, the rovers have been collecting data and sending back images of the red planet to earth. Technically, we humans already have a presence on Mars, so a future like the show The Expanse isn’t too far off in the future. As of right now, NASA has scheduled the Artemis 3 mission to the moon to launch in 2025, but with the state of the world, as it is, we’re not sure if the proposed launch will be able to stick to the deadline. But, travelling to the moon and to Mars are two very different undertakings. With the difference being, oh about 225 million km. Let that figure sink in.
We currently do not have the financial means of actually sending actual humans to Mars but according to Musk, if there are no delays or mishaps with the building of his Starship variant, we could see humans leave for Mars in the year 2026. But again, this isn’t as simple as strapping astronauts into a spaceship and letting it rip. The coordination, money, engineering, design, management and logistical systems all have to be ready to undertake a literal 225 million kilometre journey. Well, as the old saying goes, if we never try, we’ll never know.
Also Read: Space Tourism Just Got It’s Newest Destination: The Moon!
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