HAIFA: The Planetary Society CEO, Bill Nye, recently stated that it is possible to send humans to Mars without breaking the bank by reaching consensus on the right set of missions.
The Science Guy and members of the Society’s Board of Directors announced results of the “Humans Orbiting Mars” workshop and its goal was to gather expert science, engineering, and policy professionals to build consensus on the key elements of a long-term, cost constrained, executable program to send humans to Mars.
70 attendees at the workshop agreed upon several points including a credible plan for a long term Humans to Mars program that constrains costs by minimizing new developments was presented and for sustainable, executable, and successful Humans to Mars program, an orbital mission in 2033 would be required.
An orbital mission will enable scientific exploration of Mars and its moons while developing essential experience in human travel from Earth to the Mars system.
An independent cost estimate showed that such a program would fit within a budget that grows with inflation after NASA ends its lead role in the International Space Station.
Landing humans on Mars can affordably and logically follow later in the 2030s. There will be both scientific and public support for this orbit-first approach.
Pursuing this orbit-first approach will establish a framework for involving the private sector and international partners, and will create a unified Mars science and exploration community.
