Nasa has released details of its strategy for sending a human crew to Mars within the next few decades

The US space agency envisages despatching a “minimal” crew on a 30-month round trip to the Red Planet in a 400,000kg (880,000lb) spacecraft.

Details of the concept were outlined at a meeting in Houston, Texas.

In January 2004, President George W Bush launched a programme for returning humans to the Moon by 2020 and – at an undetermined date – to Mars.

The “Mars ship” would be assembled in low-Earth orbit using three to four Ares V rockets – the new heavy-lift launch vehicle that Nasa has been developing.

Notionally despatched in February 2031, the mission’s journey from Earth to Mars would take six to seven months in a spacecraft powered by an advanced cryogenic fuel propulsion system.

Estimates of the cost of mounting a manned Mars mission vary enormously, from $20bn to $450bn.
…

Grow your own

The cargo lander and surface habitat would be sent to Mars separately, launched before the crew in December 2028 and January 2029.
Once there, astronauts could spend up to 16 months on the Martian surface, and would use nuclear energy to power their habitat.
They would need to be well-versed in the maintenance and repair of equipment and perhaps even able to manufacture new parts.
…

Recycled water

The spacecraft itself would be equipped with so-called “closed-loop” life support systems, in which air and water would be recycled.

Plants would be grown onboard to feed the crew and contribute to the “psychological health” of the astronauts.
…
Nasa needs to come up with solutions for effectively protecting the astronauts from the high levels of cosmic radiation they will be exposed to in deep space and on the surface of Mars.
[BBC NEWS Read More ...]