Re:NASA Announces Journey to Mars Challenge
by 7952 on Thursday May 07, 2015 @03:52PM
(#9507803)
Maybe the simplest way to establish a permanent presence is actually a space station in Martian orbit.
That would build the launch and transit infrastructure necessary for sustaining a permanent settlement.
It also has some interesting advantages:
* Low latency connection to rovers and manned landers giving a near instant mission control capability.
* Trips to the surface could be made as a short excursion rather than the sole purpose of the mission. This would allow for failure of individual landings without jeopardising the entire program.
* Could build on what was developed for the ISS.
The biggest advantage is that it would require a long term political commitment instead of a one time mission that would be cancelled on return.
That would build the launch and transit infrastructure necessary for sustaining a permanent settlement.
It also has some interesting advantages:
* Low latency connection to rovers and manned landers giving a near instant mission control capability.
* Trips to the surface could be made as a short excursion rather than the sole purpose of the mission. This would allow for failure of individual landings without jeopardising the entire program.
* Could build on what was developed for the ISS.
The biggest advantage is that it would require a long term political commitment instead of a one time mission that would be cancelled on return.