US: How close to Mars is the space race?

Exploring Mars: The Next Frontier

Ever since humans first landed on the moon in 1969, Mars has captured our imagination as the next destination for human visitation. However, this ambitious task is easier said than done. Mars, the closest planet to Earth, is still a mind-boggling distance away at 197.73 million miles. To put it into perspective, that’s roughly 828 times farther than the moon from Earth. Although the distance fluctuates due to the different orbits of the planets, the challenge remains.

The Race to Mars: Innovations in Space Exploration

As it currently stands, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has plans to put humans on Mars somewhere between the late 2030s and early 2040s. In 2022, the agency outlined a rough plan for its first human mission to Mars, identifying “50 points falling under four overarching categories of exploration, including transportation and habitation; Moon and Mars infrastructure; operations; and science.”

However, NASA also recognizes the importance of public feedback in shaping their exploration plans. Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy stated, “The feedback we receive on the objectives we have identified will inform our exploration plans at the Moon and Mars for the next 20 years. We’re looking within NASA and to external stakeholders to help us fine-tune these objectives and be as transparent as possible throughout our process. With this approach, we will find potential gaps in our architecture as well as areas where our goals align with those from industry and international partners for future collaboration.”

NASA estimates that the full round-trip journey to Mars will take around 500 days and involve four crew members. However, private companies may beat NASA to the red planet. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk expressed his optimism on Twitter, stating that he expects the company to land humans on Mars within the next decade. “I think 5 years is possible and 10 years is highly likely,” he tweeted in February.

SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell shares Musk’s optimism, believing that the company will land humans on Mars “in this decade, yes. People on the moon, sooner.” She emphasized the need for a large delivery to the surface of Mars to spark further interest and investment. Shotwell added, “And then, I think within five or six years, people will see that that will be a real place to go.”

While SpaceX faces challenges, such as perfecting their Starship delivery system, other private companies are also racing to reach Mars. Relativity Space and Impulse Space announced their aim to launch the first private mission to space in 2024, potentially beating SpaceX. Although their craft will not have a human crew, it could pave the way for these companies to claim the coveted title of reaching Mars sooner rather than later.

Exciting times lie ahead as humanity sets its sights on Mars, pushing the boundaries of space exploration and paving the way for a future where humans may one day call the red planet home.