How long until Humans walk on Mars?

[Turtle]

Vote Your Conscience

[Boerseun]

I voted 'more than 30'.

I can't see it happening in my lifetime, but then again, I can't see it not happening eventually, either. Somehow, someone will eventually convince the guy with the money to do it. But on the short term, i.e. less than 30, no.

Maybe the US and China's pending space race (Moon: US by 2018, China by 2024) will spill over to Mars. Getting to the Moon ain't as impressive as when they did it in '69...

One can only hope.

The only viable justification for a human on Mars is that it's cool. Any conceivable science can be performed much better and much cheaper with robot landers. And in the absence of a competing global superpower, I don't see the US doing it. China might just come to the rescue for space enthusiasts...

[Jay-qu]

+30, but I dont think it would be much longer than that.. maybe 35 years

[TheFaithfulStone]

My hope is soon. My fear is never.

Originally Posted by Boerseun

The only viable justification for a human on Mars is that it's cool.

Works for me.

And that's the only viable justification NOW. After we've settled Mars and the Moon, and developed technology for something approaching closed-loop life support (or at least, where the other end of the loop isn't here at home) then the viable justifications are easier to find.

TFS

[Mercedes Benzene]

30 years.

Let's get back to the moon first.

[InfiniteNow]

Humans will never walk on Mars... they'll levitate!

[Mercedes Benzene]

Humans will never walk on Mars... they'll levitate!

LMFAO.
That's probably true.

[jamongo]

Within 20 years. And don't argue with me. I'm right. Absolutely right.

Hmmm... wait a minute.

I'm 74 years old now. Plus 20 would be 94 years old.

Hmmm... not much chance of me being around at 94.

So.... how you going to prove me wrong?

[CerebralEcstasy]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by jamongo

Within 20 years. And don't argue with me. I'm right. Absolutely right.

I actually agree with you, another unmanned mission to Mars has been approved by the US, and they have earmarked in the neighbourhood of 9 billion dollars for it. (someone please correct me if I'm off on my numbers, I'm going off memory)

I'm only 32, so I may eat my words - but I don't think I will have to. I think it's within our grasp.

As for getting back to the moon, I couldn't agree more as well. The things we learn from those excursions will only increase the likelihood of getting onto Mars sooner.

For those of you watching the Nasa site, I apologize for repeating material you've already read - for those of you who haven't.....courtesy of nasa

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sh...ain/index.html

NASA Home > Mission Sections > Space Shuttle
Docking Day Arrives for Discovery, STS-121 Crew

Image above: A camera on the shuttle's robotic arm captured this image of Discovery's payload bay and crew cabin. Photo credit: NASA TV

Space Shuttle Discovery fired its engines just after 7 a.m. EDT beginning its final approach with the International Space Station. Discovery, which launched Tuesday afternoon to begin STS-121, is scheduled to dock with the station at 10:52 a.m. EDT today.

STS-121 will deliver supplies and equipment to the station. Much of the cargo is located in the Italian-built Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module. The STS-121 crew will also conduct at least two spacewalks while docked to the orbital outpost. During the excursions, the crew will demonstrate techniques for inspecting and protecting the shuttle’s thermal protection system.

Also, arriving with STS-121 is European Space Agency Astronaut Thomas Reiter. He will become Expedition 13’s third crew member. His arrival will return the station’s crew complement to three for the first time since Expedition 6 left in May 2003.

About two hours after Discovery arrives, the hatches will open and the STS-121 crew will enter the station for the first time. STS-121 is currently scheduled to depart the space station on July 14 and land in Florida on the 16th.

STS-121 will be the first shuttle mission to visit the station since STS-114 left in August 2005.

[Jay-qu]

I dont see why so many people voted 'within 20', sure it would be cool but realistically I dont think so. China planned that they would go to the moon ~20 years in advance, and a manned mars mission by all accounts would take more planning, development and training time...