Image: Inspiration Mars
on a safe journey home. Every 15
years, the planets align, opening
a window that allows for a minimal
round-trip travel time of 501 days.
Therefore, the target launch date
is January 5, 2018. After 2018, this
chance at reduced travel time will
not occur again until the year 2031.
“Experts have reviewed the risks,
rewards and aggressive schedule,
finding that existing technologies
and systems only need to be properly integrated, tested and prepared for flight,” said Taber MacCallum, chief technology officer for
Inspiration Mars.
Aside from the primary goal of
reaching Mars and returning to
Earth safely, Inspiration Mars also
hopes to gain the interest of STEM
students and provide scientific,
educational
and
engineering
opportunities using NASA inspired
technologies.
With a growing team of
partners supporting this project
both financially and logistically,
Inspir ][ۈX\