Sending a Manned Mission to Mars

This paper presents summaries of four articles published online, which focus on the issue of sending a manned mission to the Mars.

Summaries for the Articles

Miriam Kramer is the author of the article titled Manned Mission to Mars by 2030s is really Possible, Experts Say, which was published on Space.com on 14 January, 2014. In the article, Kramer reports findings of a group of experts that focuses on making a manned mission to the mass a reality. The group of experts who gave their views represented academic, industrial and government organizations, among others. According to the article, the group of experts has found that a mission to the mass is feasible, but there is need for some changes if the goal is to be met by 2030. One of the changes proposed by the experts is an increase in the amount of funds allocated to NASA every year. In other words, the current budget constraints are likely to limit the ability of NASA to meet the goal. Thus, the experts propose that the US government should increase the amount of funds allocated to NASA every year. Further, the experts call for collaboration between government agencies, private agencies and other agencies to collaborate in the process of making the mission a reality. They also point out at the importance of making a bridge mission before the manned mission to mass, such as going to the asteroid. The experts argue that the manned mission planned to take place in 2022 by Mars by Mars One will play a vital role in inspiring a full Martial landing later.

Lucy Sherriff is the author of an article titled NASA reveals manned Mars mission plans,which was published on The Register.co.uk on 29 Nov, 2007. The article presents a report on the announcement of NASA’s plans for a manned mission to mass. Representatives of NASA announced the plans in 2007 in a meeting that was held in Houston, Texas. As indicated in the article, NASA announced that it was planning to send 400,000kg spacecraft with humans to Mars in February 2031, a mission that is expected to take 30 months. Further, NASA mentioned that it will send Martian living quarters two years before to Mars. According to NASA, the trip is likely to take six months, but the astronauts will have to stay in the Mars for a period of 16 months. The astronauts will be provided with life-support amenities, and resupply will be made available. NASA explained that there was no specific budget set for the project, but the organization is likely to incur between $20bn and $450bn by the end of the project. NASA noted that, however, it was yet to find a solution on how to shield the crew from solar radiation, which can be very destructive.

Amanda William is the author of the article titled Sending manned mission to Mars is ‘absolutely necessary’ for the survival of the human race, Nasa chief says, which was posted on The dailymail.co.uk on 23 April, 2014. The article gives a summary of NASA’s plans for a manned mission to Mars by 2030, following a speech made by NASA’s chiefs at Humans to Mars summit that was held in Washington. As indicated in the article, NASA’s chiefs mentioned that the manned mission to Mars is vital in facilitating the future survival of human race. One of the NASA’s chiefs, Charles Bolden, explained that before engaging in the main mission, NASA has considered lassoing’ an asteroid through capturing it and taking it to the moon’s orbit and then take samples that will be vital in informing the main mission. The NASA chief announced that lassoing’ an asteroid will take place in 2015.

Andrew Griffin is the author of an article titled New route to Mars could make manned mission much cheaper and easier that was posted on The independent.co.uk on 20th April 2014. According to the article, the manned mission to the mass has, in the past, been highly limited by high costs associated with it. However, the article reports that mathematicians Edward Belbruno and Francesco Topputo have established a new route and strategy that will help to cut fuel costs by 25 percent and also makes it cheaper to launch the spacecraft. However, the mathematicians noted that the new route might take longer time than the older route.

Works Cited

Griffin, Andrew. “New route to Mars could make manned mission much cheaper and easier.”

The independent.co.uk 20 April 2014: A1. Print.

Kramer, Miriam. “Manned Mission to Mars by 2030s Is Really Possible, Experts Say.”

Space.com 14 Jan. 2014: A1. Print.

Sherriff, Lucy. “NASA reveals manned Mars mission plans.” TheRegister.co.uk 29 Nov. 2007:

A1. Print.

Williams, Amanda. “Sending manned mission to Mars is ‘absolutely necessary’ for the survival

of the human race, Nasa chief says.” dailymail.co.uk23 April 2014. 23 April 2014 Late Ed. Print.