Space experts caution against rushing Mars mission plans
Experts emphasize that rushing the Mars mission is not advisable, partly due to the exhausting impact on the human body during the journey. Perfecting the landing is crucial, as it is essential for crew safety. There are still questions regarding the delivery of supplies and fuel.
Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, announced that the first flight of the Starship rocket to Mars is scheduled for March 2026. A humanoid robot named Optimus will be on board. If the landing is successful, humans could reach Mars as early as 2029, although Musk suggests on X that 2031 is more likely.
Expert: Acceleration of Starship testing in 2025 is possible
Ewelina Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka, spokesperson for the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences, explains that the two-stage Starship rocket - Super Heavy "is not yet operational." Although the Starship, a powerful rocket measuring over 390 feet, has been tested since April 2023, and the Super Heavy booster has landed successfully twice, the tests of the upper stage have ended in explosions. SpaceX is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the causes of these failures.
The expert notes that accelerating Starship tests in 2025 is possible but requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. Successfully landing the Starship on Earth, which has not yet been achieved, will be crucial.
"If the company manages to accelerate the tests and eliminate errors, who knows—perhaps in 2026, they will indeed decide to head towards Mars and attempt a landing on the Red Planet. However, first, SpaceX must ensure a correct landing of the Starship on Earth, which has not yet occurred," she observed.
Weaker gravity on Mars will make it not easy
The journey to Mars poses not only a technological challenge but also a physical one. Astronauts will have to endure weightlessness for at least half a year, which will weaken their muscles and bones. "Upon arriving on Mars, where gravity is nearly three times weaker than on Earth, they will not rebuild muscle strength. And they still face the return trip to Earth," the expert stressed.
The rush to complete the Mars mission may be motivated by prestige
Zambrzycka-Koscielnicka emphasizes that rushing the Mars mission is not advisable and carries enormous risks.
The spokesperson for the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences also pointed out that any potential disaster would undoubtedly lead to the postponement of manned Martian missions for several more decades.
