when can human reach Mars?

Answer 1

Getting to Mars requires a space journey of many months or years. Staying there would require a lot of equipment, even for a short stay, but we have most of the technological capabililty already. Understanding field conditions and building the equipment might require 10-15 years.

Creating an atmosphere, by melting the various liquids and gasses at the martian poles, would require about 100 years, but that atmosphere would not be human-breathable.

Creating an atmosphere we could breath (with enough oxygen) is more complicated - the shortest estimations I've heard are something on the order of 10,000 years - oxygen is difficult to manufacture chemically, and biological processes for making it are delicate and not very fast.

The Mars Society, NASA, and without a doubt other space agencies are looking into the question. Funding is a problem, but these organizations are doing remarkable work with very limited resources. As so many have pointed out here, the real problem is a lack of public support (and therefore political willpower) to do it. That will undoubtedly change when the Earth's environment is too damaged to continue to support life - people will be screaming for a one way ticket out of here - but by then it will most lilely be too late.

Do yourself or your kids a favor - support space life sciences research !

Answer 2

I think sooner than you would expect - the technology exists but there must be a willingness to divert funds and apply them to a viable Mars expedition. I think it would be very costly and take an extremely long time. However, if there was a consortium of nations that was willing to invest and put political crap aside, then it could be very possible. I know, I know, that's a really pollyanna kind of attitude - but I am all for humans traveling to Mars or to the moon - If they let civilians go, I'd be one of the first to sign up. (I'm sure some of you are wishing they had taken me away already:)) I think the technology to travel to Mars already exists or is closer to development than we think, I also believe that missions to Mars, the moon and perhaps other moons in our solar system should be given careful consideration - who knows what kinds of resources can be found in the great wealth of space?

Answer 3

The current plans for a Mars mission is that it will require 6 months travel time using a conventional rocket. Another proposal, using VASMIR (plasma rocket) could potentially drop the flight time to 2 to 3 months.

The high risks are radiation exposure, long duration flight, and energy needs, to name a few. They are all manageable, but will require significant funding.

I believe that we will attempt our first flight to Mars in about 20 years. Until then, NASA and other space agencies around the world will continue to study Mars with space probes and rovers in order to prepare for the inevitable Human mission.

Answer 4

Abolish the space treaties (UN Outer Space and Moon treaties) and that day would be alot closer than you could imagine. Allow space and celestial bodies to be homesteaded and exploited for profit will go a long ways towards moving our economy (and hence society) "up there". Space will be able to pay for itself and expand beyond. Private property in space will mean more responsibility and care on the part of the propery owners, as opposed to our current government system which has low-earth-orbit polluted with a multitude of debris.

So long as space travel remains socialized it will always be an issue of "not enough money". Just like every other government program, when you think about it.

Answer 5

After the moon has been colonized to become a jumping-off point for such an endeavor. However, the reason for embarking on this or any manned journey to other worlds must be clearly illustrated by delineating the benefit(s) to the human condition.

Answer 6

There are too many problems to solve on earth for people to be investing money in living in mars projects.

Answer 7

When Human Arm Very Long.

Answer 8

we have the technology to do it now. its a matter of funding and purpose. if it served some greater purpose to send someone there, we'd dump money into it till it happened, just like the moon landing (beating the soviets to the moon pretty much ended the cold war).

however, since there is no immediate gain, we'll keep plugging along towards it until there is.

Answer 9

If there is enough of budget for long time journey that last for a decade back and port.

Answer 10

Now...if we wanted too. But we are too busy spending money on big, important things like smart bombs instead of exploration, education, science and silly things like that.