Making History: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars - How NASA and SpaceX are Leading the Way
Updated: Jan 30
The Mars rover concept vehicle's six semi-spherical wheels are designed to provide optimal traction on both rocks and in sand
NASA
The idea of sending humans to Mars has captivated the imagination of mankind for decades. From the earliest sci-fi stories to modern day scientific research, the red planet has always been a symbol of humanity's greatest aspirations and achievements. Now, with recent advancements in technology and the relentless efforts of NASA and SpaceX, the dream of a manned mission to Mars is closer to becoming a reality than ever before.
Image: Aeronutronic/NASA
NASA has been at the forefront of Mars exploration for decades, launching numerous rovers and landers to study the planet's surface and climate. Their latest mission, the Perseverance Rover, which launched in July 2020, has been collecting samples and data that will pave the way for future manned missions. NASA's ultimate goal is to establish a sustainable presence on Mars, and they have already begun developing the technologies necessary to make that a reality.
The Perseverance rover is the size of a small car and more technologically sophisticated than anything you’ve ever seen.NASA / JPL
SpaceX, on the other hand, is focused on developing the transportation infrastructure necessary to get humans to Mars. The company's CEO, Elon Musk, has stated that his ultimate goal is to "make life multi-planetary." SpaceX has already made significant strides in this endeavor, with their reusable rockets and spacecrafts. Their Starship spacecraft is designed to take humans to Mars, and the company has announced plans for an uncrewed test flight to Mars as early as 2024, with the first manned mission to follow in the next decade.
A cutaway drawing that imagines the inside of Elon Musk's Big Falcon Spaceship. SpaceX plans to build and use the vehicle for the first crewed Mars missions.
The first manned mission to Mars will undoubtedly be a monumental achievement, not just for NASA and SpaceX, but for humanity as a whole. It will mark the beginning of a new era of space exploration and open up a wealth of possibilities for future generations. But it's important to remember that this mission is not just about reaching Mars, it's about establishing a sustainable presence on the planet. NASA and SpaceX are working tirelessly to develop the necessary technologies and infrastructure to make this a reality. From 3D-printed rocket parts to In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), these companies are exploring every avenue to make this mission a success.
One of the biggest challenges facing a manned mission to Mars is the issue of landing and taking off from the planet's surface. Mars has a thin atmosphere, which makes it difficult to use traditional methods of landing and taking off, such as using parachutes or airbags. NASA and SpaceX are currently working on developing a vehicle that can land and take off from Mars' surface with ease. NASA's Perseverance Rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021, used a complex system of descent and landing known as the "Skycrane" method. This method involved a rocket-powered descent stage that lowered the rover to the surface on cables, while the descent stage flew away to crash-land separately. SpaceX's Starship spacecraft, on the other hand, uses a combination of rocket propulsion and aerodynamic braking to land vertically on the surface of Mars.
Both NASA and SpaceX are also working on developing reusable vehicles that can land and take off multiple times. NASA's Mars Sample Return mission, set to launch in 2026, will use a sample fetch rover that will collect samples on the surface and transfer them to a container that will be picked up by an Earth Return Orbiter and brought back to Earth. SpaceX plans to use their Starship spacecraft for manned missions to Mars and aims to establish a permanent human presence on the planet by the end of the decade.
In addition, both NASA and SpaceX are also developing technologies to enable in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on Mars. This will enable the vehicles to extract resources such as water and carbon dioxide from the Martian environment to produce fuel and oxygen for the return trip to Earth. This will reduce the amount of fuel and supplies that needs to be launched from Earth, making the mission more cost-effective and sustainable.
Another major challenge in sending humans to Mars is the psychological and physical stress that the long-duration mission will place on the astronauts. NASA and SpaceX are developing ways to mitigate these challenges, such as developing new forms of exercise equipment that can simulate the effects of gravity and provide resistance training, as well as researching the effects of isolation on the human mind. This includes studying the psychological effects of isolation and confinement, as well as developing strategies to mitigate these effects, such as virtual reality technology and telepresence robots that allow astronauts to communicate with their loved ones back on Earth. Additionally, NASA and SpaceX are also researching the effects of radiation on the human body, as well as developing new forms of shielding to protect the astronauts from harmful radiation.
Finally, the economic and political challenges of a manned mission to Mars are significant. The cost of such a mission is astronomical, and it will take a global effort to fund and support such an endeavor. NASA and SpaceX are working to secure funding and support from governments and private organizations around the world.
In conclusion, the first manned mission to Mars is a monumental undertaking that will require the combined efforts of NASA, SpaceX, and the global community. But the rewards of such a mission are incalculable. It will open up a new era of space exploration, and pave the way for humanity to establish a sustainable presence on the red planet. The future of mankind is inextricably linked to the exploration and colonization of space, and the first manned mission to Mars will be a crucial step. The mission to send humans to Mars is a complex and daunting task, but with the advancements in technology and the efforts of NASA and SpaceX, it is becoming more and more possible. It is an exciting time for space exploration, and the first manned vehicle on Mars will be a significant milestone in human history. As Elon Musk said “Getting to Mars will be hard. But it will be worth it”.
Interesting Articles About The History of Humanities Vision For A Manned Mission To Mars
Why Haven’t Humans Reached Mars? by Discover Magazine
Manned Mars Surface Missions (1966) by Wired Magazine Circa APR 6, 2012
6 Technologies NASA is Advancing to Send Humans to Mars by NASA.gov
Here's what future Mars and lunar space colonies could look like by NBC NEWS
A Vehicle Like This Will One Day Go to Mars by Smithsonian Magazine
The First Rocket Launch from Mars Will Start in Midair From Scientific American
3D-printed rocket makers will send a payload to Mars by 2025 by Wearethemighty
NASA Reveals Early Plans to Send Two Astronauts to Surface of Mars From Futurism
What it will take for humans to colonize the Moon and Mars by Engadget.com
SpaceX's 1st crewed Mars mission could launch as early as 2024 -Elon Musk by Space.com
NASA Sees ‘Otherworldly’ Wreckage on Mars With Ingenuity Helicopter by NYTimes
Mars in 2050: 10 Future Technologies In The First Mars City by FutureBusinessTech
NASA Selects Nine Technologies for Commercial Flight Tests by NASA.gov
Elon Musk’s Mars Ambition Could Be the Riskiest Human Quest Ever by Bloomberg
When Are Humans Going To Mars? Here's Everything We Know by Screenrant
If you are interested in blogging about the colonization of Mars, below is a list of attention grabbing blog titles.
"The Race to Mars: NASA and SpaceX's Quest for the First Manned Vehicle"
"Countdown to History: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is Almost Here"
"Making History: How NASA and SpaceX are Collaborating to Send Humans to Mars"
"The Future is Here: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is About to Launch"
"Mars Bound: The Incredible Journey of the First Manned Vehicle"
"A New Era of Exploration: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Mission to Mars"
"The Road to Mars: A Look at the Technology Behind the First Manned Vehicle"
"The Next Frontier: NASA and SpaceX's Plan to Send Humans to Mars"
"One Giant Leap for Mankind: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is Coming Soon"
"From Dreams to Reality: The First Manned Mission to Mars is Happening Now"
"The Journey Begins: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Vehicle on Mars"
"Breaking Barriers: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is Changing the Game"
"The Future of Exploration: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Mission to Mars"
"A New Era of Adventure: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is Here"
"The Next Giant Step: NASA and SpaceX's Quest for the First Manned Mission to Mars"
"A New Horizon: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is Setting Sail"
"The Future is Now: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Mission to Mars"
"The Road to the Red Planet: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Vehicle on Mars"
"A New Frontier: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is Changing the World"
"The Race is On: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Mission to Mars"
"The Future of Space Exploration: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Vehicle on Mars"
"The Next Big Thing: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is Taking Off"
"Beyond the Horizon: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Mission to Mars"
"A New Adventure: The First Manned Vehicle on Mars is About to Begin"
"Making History: NASA and SpaceX's First Manned Vehicle on Mars is Launching Soon"