Currently, space exploration for humans means a nice little voyage to the moon and back. While traveling in space, seeing the sights, and feeling everything for yourself is, I’m sure amazing, the moon is old news. Manned missions to Mars have been the new hotness for several years now. The only problem (which begats many more “sub-problems”) is the time taken to reach the red planet as well as the year long stay necessary before a return voyage can be made. If we were to go to Mars right now, it would take roughly 6 months with current rocket technology. Coupled with the fact that we have to wait until a special time once every two years where Earth and Mars come closer than average means after the road trip, you’re in for the longest honeymoon of your life. In all, a full two years (give or take a month) is needed for a simple trip to Mars. Then of course you have to think about food, water, waste, trash, and so on. Not small things mind you…
Our friends up north may be on to something however with a futuristic “Ion Propulsion Engine”. The more scientific name for you nerds out there: Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR®). Sounds straight out of science fiction movies of the 60′s doesn’t it? In case you were wondering, Canada isn’t the only player in this race to Mars as countless other countries are offering up their own services and products. The dirty details of the engine aren’t for the faint hearted. Though for those looking for a brief overview, it essentially involves turning lighter gasses into plasma by way of injection. Electromagnetic waves and other magnetic trickery also make an appearance. Quite interesting indeed.
According to veteran Canadian astronaut, Chris Hadfield, “smaller scale” tests of the technology will be carried out on the International Space Station come 2013 — not really that far away in the grander scheme of things mind you.
When do you think the first manned mission to Mars will happen: 2020, 2030, 2040? Leave it in the comment box…
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