The distance between the Earth and the Red Planet depends on the relative position of both planets. Even so, they are never less than 55 million kilometers. NASA estimates that with current technology a manned mission would take at best between six and seven months to bridge that chasm, a trip that, according to a group of analysts from this same agency at the end of 2007, could take place in 2028 .
In essence, the plan involves shipping in December of that year and January 2029 the habitat that the astronauts and cargo will occupy. All of this would be launched aboard huge ARES V rockets , the vehicles that will soon replace the outdated space shuttles, which would reach their target between October and November. In February 2031 they would be followed by the crew, who would set foot on the Martian surface in August of that same year.
In addition to being an impressive economic and logistical challenge, the adventure poses important scientific challenges, such as preventing astronauts' exposure to harmful cosmic rays, the effects on the body of a long journey in a low-gravity environment, or the resulting psychological problems. of isolation and lack of privacy. For this reason, NASA and other space agencies are investigating more efficient engines and other drive systems capable of reducing the duration of the trip and making it cheaper.
