The optimal fuel route on Mars is accompanied by arriving when the two planets are almost turned on. On the other side of the sun。 The launch window is repeated every 18 months, which means that the nine -month travel time needs to be fixed by the crew without rescue options. You can realize a faster route (about 6 months), but this will be very energy -intensive.
This is why the moon gateway is convenient, and it is possible for astronauts to take off from the moon, leave the giant gravity of the earth, and then head to Mars. Of course, you need to send the Gateway ingredients to the moon gateway first. But that means dividing energy requirements. Slower but more efficient promotion method It can be used for part of the Mars trip.
There is no doubt that SPACEX can make it in some tasks Landed on Mars。 But can they take people safely and regain them? As a company, with the safety of astronauts, the idea of profits is a powerful factor. See some recent Boeing problems (7 months of astronauts have been stuck at the time of writing) to make sure that private companies may want to decelerate when they transport people. You need it.
But this is unlikely to happen Musuk considerable influence Proposal of the White House administration and his fellow billionaire JARED ISAACMAN (private astronaut) As a new head of NASA。
Important decision
Therefore, there are two options that NASA can be selected. Continue the ARTEMIS program and the moon gateway, or to rely on Musk mainly for Mars.
Providing funds to both options means neither. Of course, the Mission of Mars Gateway already existed on the moon。
The timeline related to this is important. SPACEX states that next year will send five non -white spaceships to Mars. Aim to send humans to Mars in 2028。 This seems to be ambitious. Especially with fuel supply to orbit, if the project has additional funds and materials, it may be faster.
The moon gateway will be constructed in 2027, so it is unlikely that it will be operated in 2028 anyway. Therefore, giving priority to Mars exploration on the moon gateway may actually increase us faster, but it is dangerous.
When the United States escapes from the plan to explore the moon, other countries can have more easier routes to Mars, making it easier to expand their existence in those regions. However, these may be a long time scale, but if Musk cannot take humans to Mars in the next few years, these countries may be dominant.
