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Author
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Topic: Practical possibilities of a mission to Mars
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Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2235
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-13-2016 06:48 PM
   
What are the practical possibilities for a trip to Mars?I love the thought of Mars exploration but realistically I just cannot see it happening, not for fifty years or more anyhow. It's a long complicated trip for both machinery and the human psyche to undergo. If we want "two-legs" on the planet why not kit out a Robonaut type explorer for the trip? |
moonnut
Member Posts: 280
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Apr 2013
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posted 02-13-2016 11:28 PM
I'm sure this question was asked about the moon too. Many thought it couldn't be done in the timeline given, but it pushed us to innovate. If we sat back and said most everything wasn't possible, would anybody try?Pushing to innovate brings about technological advances in everyday life. Every step drives us to take another step. We get to Mars, then think... why not Europa, then why not Pluto... then why not leave the solar system? Each step would bring new ideas and perfecting old ones to be more consistent and reliable. It's human and technological advancement. Also a robot can't express the feelings of interacting with its environment. Just my thoughts... |
oly
Member Posts: 1450
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 02-14-2016 12:18 AM
For a trip to Mars similar to an Apollo mission the distance would take some time, even with Orion, the Bigelow habitat and a landing craft along the lines of the lunar module only aerodynamically streamlined and a service module with sufficient supplies for a long duration mission it would require multiple launches. And still be very limited on internal area.For such a long duration mission a much larger craft would be better suited, however this would require another shuttle type spacecraft to assemble such a machine. Andy Weir's The Martian is a good concept, however building a spacecraft similar to the ISS with engines will cost similar to, you guessed it, the ISS with engines and take more missions to assemble. And we have no more shuttles. Unless we can come up with an alternative design. Perhaps a newer design shuttle utilizing boosters similar to SpaceX Falcon 9 reusable rockets would help reduce operating costs, one or two spent main tanks coupled as a habitat along with the new shuttle. This should give the living and storage area needed. Now what to use for a Mars lander and assent vehicle, a Mars rover and habitat? | |
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