and supplies. NASA on the other hand is planning for 30 to 40 years of mannedmissions, accounting for the increased cost. Mars One is doing everything
possible to cut costs, including having their astronauts never returning to Earth.
Both estimates of the cost of a Mars mission have merit, but NASA’s estimate is
more reasonable and does not sacrifice human life.
Time of Space-Flight:
Mars One estimates a one-way trip to Mars to take 7 months. NASA is
estimating 7 to 9 months there, and another 7 to 9 months for a return journey.
So, the two parties can agree on how
the actual journey to Mars will take.
Both plan to travel when Mars and
Earth are the closest to each other
along their orbital paths. According to
Space.com, when the two planets are
on opposite sides of the Sun, they are
over 401 million kilometres apart. The
closest the Earth has ever been to
Mars is 56 million kilometres, and a 7 to
9 month journey would only be
possible when the two planets are this
close. By timing their launch dates well, NASA and Mars One can greatly reduce
the time it will take their astronauts to travel to Mars.
Whether Mars One or NASA is correct in their estimations of time, distance
and cost, the journey to Mars will be a long and costly one.
Jon Esparaz
Pickering, ON