A human mission to Mars is one step closer due to facilities housed and managed by companies based in Colorado. Currently, NASA plans sending people to the Red Planet sometime in the 2030's.
The Journey to Mars would provide a means to bring human space travelers to the Red Planet and back to Earth. As mission engineers design the equipment and procedures needed to ferry a human crew to Mars, they will need to overcome several obstacles. Among these are protecting space travelers from radiation, providing fuel and life support, and designing spacecraft capable of landing on the Red Planet and taking off again for Earth.
"A fleet of robotic spacecraft and rovers already are on and around Mars, dramatically increasing our knowledge about the Red Planet and paving the way for future human explorers. The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover measured radiation on the way to Mars and is sending back radiation data from the surface. This data will help us plan how to protect the astronauts who will explore Mars," NASA officials report.
Several companies based in Colorado are assisting NASA in developing the technology needed to bring humans to Mars. Among these are Sierra Nevada Corp., Ball Aerospace & Technologies, and Lockheed Martin.
For a mission scheduled for liftoff decades in the future, it is vital for NASA to continue receiving funding to carry out operations. Frequently, presidential administration alter the goals of the space program to suit their own needs and desires.
"The idea of going to Mars is a long-term vision that really needs to be sustained over a period of numerous administrations... NASA doesn't want to (promise) something unless they believe they have the money to do it. It really is an effort to continue to build public interest, particularly at a time when the private efforts are gaining so much interest," Marco Caceres of Teal Group Corp said.
As private space developers such as SpaceX continue missions to the International Space Station, some aerospace officials are becoming concerned the American public may lose interest in NASA. The national space industry could seize the publicity of a human mission to Mars in order to drive interest in space, mission engineers suggest. However, to put boots on the ground on the Red Planet, the agency will likely require a significant increase in funding over its current budget of approximately $18 bllion a year, scientists report.
