Moon or Mars? US may encounter a difficult choice for future missions

The optimal fuel route for Mars involves arrival when the two planets are approximately included opposite sides of the sunS This launch window is repeated every 18 months, and the nine -month travel time means that all problems on board will need to be eliminated from the crew without the rescue option. Faster routes (approximately six months) can be achieved, but then it becomes very energy.

Therefore, the lunar portal would be useful, allowing astronauts to fly out of the moon, far from the huge gravity of the earth and head to Mars from there. Of course, the gate material will have to be sent to Lunar Gateway first. But by dividing energy requirements means, it means More slow but more efficient drive methods It can be used for part of Mars trip.

There is no doubt that with some work, Spacex will be able to make a Landing on MarsS But will they be able to take the people there and return them? As a company, the idea of ​​profit will be a strong factor, along with the safety of astronauts. We just have to look at some of more Last Boeing Problems (Astronauts have been stuck at the International Space Station for seven months during writing) to see that private companies may want to slow down a little when it comes to transporting people.

This is unlikely to happen, however a significant influence of musk Regarding the White House administration and the proposal of a colleague billionaire Jared Isakman (astronaut)) Like the new NASA leaderS

Critical decisions

So there are two options for NASA to choose from: either continue with your Artemis and Lunar Gateway program, or strive for Mars and be mostly musk dependent.

The financing of both options will probably mean that none of them happens. Of course, Mars mission would be easier if Gateway already attended the moonS

Times involved here are important. Spacex states that it will send five single star ships to Mars next year with Aim to send people to Mars in 2028S This seems ambitious, especially since it involves loading with orbit overload, but if additional funds and materials are directed to the project, it can potentially be earlier than that.

Since the lunar portal will be built earlier in 2027, then it is unlikely to work in 2028. So the prioritization of Mars survey over Lunar Gateway can really take us to Mars -but it will be risky.

If the United States is withdrawn from the moon exploration plans, other nations can extend its presence in these areas easier -with the potential to have an easier way to start to Mars. They are probably in much longer time limits, but if Musk fails to make people be on Mars over the next few years, these countries may have an advantage.