2007-12-10 11:30:20 · 7 answers · asked by kimberly b 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I would say when we are technologically and economically ready.
I don't think we are quite there, yet, technologically. Especially the Mars-orbit-ascent bit seems rather shaky. Mars gravity is only one third of Earth gravity... but that is still a hell of a rocket we have to haul there, then land, then check out and probably fuel with materials extracted from the Martian soil and then launch. And you only get one chance... if the thing misfires, even if the astronauts survived and got back safely on the "ground", they could be hundreds or thousands of miles from their launch location with no means to survive and be rescued. Sounds scary...
But even if we could solve all the technical problems, I doubt we have the financial means. This will be very expensive and to be honest, if I had a way to change the allocation of my tax dollars, I would ask them to stop the war now, reduce what I am paying for military spending by half, reallocate the money to renewable energy and fix the social security and medicare systems. And then... a long way down the line I would think about giving a few dollars to manned spaceflight, but only after making sure that the highly successful unmanned science programs are properly funded.
I don't expect to be alive when we send humans to Mars and I expect to live for quite a while still. But then, Mars is kind of boring. I can imagine way more interesting targets (for robots) in the solar system.
2007-12-10 11:43:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
NASA plans to construct moonbases by 2024 with an unspecified timeline after that for manned missions to explore Mars.
The European Space Agency plans a manned Mars mission around 2033.
Russia is considering a manned Mars expedition around 2016-2020.
Japan's program has been plagued by setbacks and a decision to launch a manned mission to Mars will not be announced before 2025.
China will not be prepared for a manned mission until 2040-2060.
2007-12-10 11:42:42 · answer #2 · answered by Troasa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I second the motion!
According to Bush's new vision for space directives, some time after 2030 - but we're not even on pace to make THAT deadline right now. I just hope I will live to see it happen!
2007-12-10 11:40:55 · answer #3 · answered by ZeroByte 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i might say that the technologies to do it may be waiting with the help of 2020, yet I/m specific that NASA will stretch it out as long as obtainable to maintain tax funds flowing into their fee variety. We spent billions to pass to the moon to discover discover sand and rocks. Now we are making waiting to spend trillions to discover purple sand and rocks. think of if shall we redirect the Mars fee variety to feed, gown, and domicile the Earth's undesirable; to discover remedies for AIDS, maximum cancers, and different illnesses; to discover substitute capacity factors; or to coach Earth's babies. think of what we are lacking while in comparison with what we are able to be getting. basically think of...
2016-10-01 08:03:58 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they find someone who is willing to sit inside of a sardine can for at least one year.
2007-12-10 11:43:09 · answer #5 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2030-2040....
2007-12-10 11:53:13 · answer #6 · answered by ChrisCT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never.
2007-12-10 11:41:53 · answer #7 · answered by elohimself 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋