The optimal fuel route on Mars is accompanied by arriving when two planets are almost on the other side of the sun. The launch window is repeated every 18 months, which means that the nine -month travel time needs to be fixed by the crew without rescue options. You can realize a faster route (about 6 months), but this will be very energy -intensive.
This is why the moon gateway is convenient, and it is possible for astronauts to take off from the moon, leave the giant gravity of the earth, and then head to Mars. Of course, you need to send the Gateway ingredients to the moon gateway first. However, by dividing energy requirements, it means that some of the Mars travel can use a slower but more efficient promotion method.
There is no doubt that SPACEX can land on Mars with some tasks. But can they take people safely and regain them? As a company, with the safety of astronauts, the idea of profits is a powerful factor. See some recent Boeing problems (7 months of astronauts have been stuck at the time of writing) to make sure that private companies may want to decelerate when they transport people. You need it.
But this is unlikely to happen. The White House administration has a considerable influence of Musuk, and the billionaire Jared Isakman, a private astronaut, has been proposed as a new head of NASA.
Important decision
Therefore, there are two options that NASA can be selected. Continue the ARTEMIS program and the moon gateway, or to rely on Musk mainly for Mars.
Providing funds to both options means neither. Of course, if the gateway already exists on the moon, the Mission on Mars will be easier.
The timeline related to this is important. SPACEX states that it will send five non -white spaces to Mars next year for the purpose of sending humans to Mars in 2028. This seems to be ambitious, especially accompanied by fuel supply to the orbit, but if the project has additional funds and materials, it will be potentially faster than this.
The moon gateway will be constructed in 2027, so it is unlikely that it will be operated in 2028 anyway. Therefore, giving priority to Mars exploration on the moon gateway may actually increase us faster, but it is dangerous.
When the United States escapes from the plan to explore the moon, other countries can have more easier routes to Mars, making it easier to expand their existence in those regions. However, these may be a long time scale, but if Musk cannot take humans to Mars in the next few years, these countries may be dominant.
(Tagstotranslate) Conversation (T) Science (T) Space (T) SpaceX (T) NASA (T) Moon Mars (T) Elon Musk