The moon or Mars? The United States may face a difficult choice for future tasks


The optimal fuel gland is related to the fact that the two planets are almost turned on The opposite face of the sun. This launch window repeats every 18 months and the nine -month journey time means any problem on the train will need to be overcome by the crew, without rescue options. Faster routes can be achieved (about six months) but this then becomes a lot of energy.

This is why the moon gateway will be helpful, allowing astronauts to take off from the Moon, out of the great gravity of the earth and go to Mars from there. Of course, the material for the gate will need to be sent to the moon gateway first. But by separating energy requirements, it means The method of pushing is slower but more efficient Can be used for a part of the Mars journey.

There is no doubt, with some jobs, SpaceX will be able to do one landing on Mars. But will they be able to bring people there safely and bring them back? As a company, the idea of ​​profit will be a strong factor, along with the safety of the astronaut. We only have to consider a number Recent Boeing problems (Astronauts were trapped on the international space station for seven months at the time of writing) to see that private companies may want to slow down a bit when it comes to transporting people.

This is hard to happen, with Significant influence of musk In the White House government, and the suggestion of the Jared Isaacman billionaires (A private astronaut) As the new head of NASA.

Important decision

Therefore, there are two options for NASA to choose: or continue with the Artemis and the Moon Gate, or target Mars and mainly depend on musk.

Sponsoring both options may mean never happening. Of course, Mars mission will be easier if The gate was present at the moon.

The related timelines here are very important. SpaceX stated that they would send five stars not to be done to Mars next year Aimed at sending people to Mars in 2028. This seems ambitious, especially related to the refueling in orbit, but if the funds and additional documents are put into the project, it is likely to be able to be sooner.

Because the moon gate will be built earliest by 2027, it is not possible anyway to operate by 2028. Therefore, priority to explore Mars on the Moon Gate can really take us. Coming to Mars faster but it will be risky.

If the United States withdraws from the Moon Discovery Plan, other countries can expand their presence in those areas more easily with the potential to have an easier route to launch on Mars. These are likely to have much longer time, but if Musk does not bring humans to Mars in the next few years, these countries may have an advantage.



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