Mars mission countdown: Crucial tests ahead for SpaceX success
Ewelina Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka from the Space Research Center PAN emphasizes that perfecting the landing on Mars is crucial before sending a crew. Rushing the mission could be dangerous.
Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, plans for the first flight to Mars with the Starship rocket in March 2026. The humanoid robot Optimus will be onboard. If the landing is successful, humans could reach Mars as early as 2029, though Musk suggests that 2031 is more realistic.
Starship, measuring over 394 feet, is designed to carry large payloads into orbit. It is crucial for the Artemis mission, which aims to land humans on the Moon again. Ewelina Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka from the Space Research Center PAN notes that Starship is not yet operational. Tests since 2023 have shown progress, but two tests this year ended in explosions.
SpaceX is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the causes of these failures. The company aims to accelerate testing in 2025 but needs approval for commercial launches. Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka emphasizes that a successful Starship landing on Earth is essential before attempting a Mars landing.
However, two of this year's tests of the Starship, the upper section intended to serve as both a spacecraft and a lander, ended in explosions. In both cases, the vehicle, which is ultimately meant to carry astronauts and cargo, disintegrated shortly after the start of the flight. SpaceX, which launches spacecraft from its base in southern Texas, is currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the second consecutive failure that occurred on March 6, the expert reminded, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
Key supply and health issues
The expert points out the lack of information about SpaceX's plans regarding supply and fuel on Mars. A long-duration flight in weightlessness weakens astronauts' muscles and bones, which could be problematic on Mars, where gravity is significantly weaker than on Earth.
NASA and ESA are currently focused on the lunar program, which is intended as a testing ground for future Mars missions. Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka emphasizes that perfecting the landing on Mars is crucial for the safety of crewed missions.
From my perspective, rushing is not advisable, and efforts to hasten such a mission are driven by the prestige resulting from such an achievement, the expert concludes.
