It seems that a trip to Mars may not be that far off! In five years time, we may be on our way, but it may not be as good as it sounds. Although we may be putting permanent residents on Mars by 2023, we will only pass by on our first flight scheduled to in 2018, when the position of the planets is such that the rocket can be 'thrown' at Mars, and its gravity be such that it 'throws' us back.
The mission has a few problems though. To start with, they will need fuel, this is not a problem for the return journey, and i assume that they will use an ionizing technique similar to that used on-board curiosity.
Inspiration, the mission's name will probably take a middle aged, married crew to Mars and back. The next launch window is 2018 and until then our planets will not be in the correct alignment. Inspiration will weigh around 10 tonnes, other than the life support system, the protection of the crew must include a shield from radiation, this will most likely be a mix of food, water and excretion, this is known as the water walls project.
Hopefully we will make it Mars, and inspire the next generation of space explorers.
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