posted 02-20-2013 05:09 PM               

The Planets are Aligning for a Once-in-a-Generation Space Journey

Inspiration Mars Foundation, a newly formed nonprofit organization led by American space traveler and entrepreneur Dennis Tito, plans to take advantage of a unique window of opportunity to launch an historic journey to Mars and back in 501 days, starting in January 2018.

This "Mission for America" will generate new knowledge, experience and momentum for the next great era of space exploration. It is intended to encourage all Americans to believe again, in doing the hard things that make our nation great, while inspiring youth through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education and motivation.

The Inspiration Mars Foundation is committed to accelerating America's human exploration of space as a critical catalyst for future growth, national prosperity, new knowledge and global leadership.

• Miles O'Brien, moderator

• Dennis Tito, chairman of Inspiration Mars Foundation and the first private space traveler

• Taber MacCallum, chief executive officer and chief technology officer of Paragon Space Development Corporation and crew member for two-year mission in Biosphere 2

• Dr. Jonathan Clark, associate professor of Neurology and Space Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and space medicine advisor for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute

• Jane Poynter, president and chairwoman of Paragon Space Development Corporation and crew member for two-year mission in Biosphere 2

posted 02-27-2013 02:21 PM               

Inspiration Mars Foundation plans mission to Red Planet by married couple

A multimillionaire, inspired by his own self-funded trip to space, announced Wednesday (Feb. 27) his new foundation's plans to pursue a manned mission to Mars.

Dennis Tito, who in April 2001 became the first "space tourist" by paying his way aboard a Russian spacecraft to fly to the International Space Station, has established the Inspiration Mars Foundation, a new nonprofit organization aimed at launching two private United States' citizens — a married man and woman — on a roundtrip mission to flyby the Red Planet.

The 501-day journey is a possibility due to a rare planetary alignment that will occur in five years. The opportunity will not present itself again until 2031.

See here for discussion of the Inspiration Mars Foundation's 2018 Mars journey.